tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24568290660928525792024-03-06T10:53:38.147+13:00Lexie New Zealand AdventureKiwi Lexiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15624259744301905837noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2456829066092852579.post-92085915516655214282010-01-04T21:11:00.006+13:002010-01-04T21:45:19.432+13:00Recent activities!!<div>Hello again,</div><br /><div>So clearly I've gotten terrible at posting blogs but given the slowness of NZ internet it becomes much more difficult to upload photos on here! For those of you who may actually look at this, I'm better at posting pics on Facebook as they appear to load more quickly.</div><br /><div>Anyway, since my last post I have been BUSY!! Thanksgiving came and went and I was hiking the Milford Track which has been doted as the World's greatest hike..and GREAT IT WAS! Absolutely brilliant weather! The next weekend I was off swimming with the dolphins, then I was off hiking the glaciers via helicopter, and finally Christmas came and I was off kayaking in Doubtful Sound, canyoning, and hiking once again!<br /></div><br /><div>Hard to believe my time here is almost finished and I will be returning to the States in April. In between my adventures I have been working like crazy and writing 3 papers as part of my thesis!! It's been crazy! Now I'm looking at future job applications and deciding where I may want to end up! </div><br /><div>Hope everyone is well and Happy New Year!!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422797821707717346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEZ6tkPRs8RckOv0BOnJDEs53bh9qpZuIVjv1y0smii62whEJlJqPJ1mugLBhAq5sypSAVbK-WFmyG6KavLMPN40IF6D9-8f1g0arpWpR0g6Lb_zsPB2WhgYTy0HxMCXUeMX2JktE7-SQ/s320/Day+2+Milf.small.jpg" /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422797840645868162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIPp-QHoZbThn-o1fiwqVx3bg9cfq7hXIf8INgwT37Z3acynIMF_Y5lqqRPF0XnJj1yhyfk1qzkAH3D6P4wxnSs9q1HFUHaeUOQGcmqVYopHDZPNrkJA-9Edj2lkeEZtli9AQbFUnCN8U/s320/mackinnon+pass+8.small.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422797831718809746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWqHgLu5gsg1etVbrQrx6forGgnkFsCoQjGaLIsXyX2KdQQdgi5sxWHdpnIM2fBrzGFiyoZfv7KL8vhdfk3kqEZ6iyctBO5KKG5I9pnmBJXWFLWilfhhuC7pyh98AUIbPVhUCt3EaxS-I/s320/lex+mackinnon+pass+4.small.jpg" /> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422797844475454322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRxzO2fZ_BsJ0PgdKYo1wCQfmq21Mg63lek_L6AUfkXb26O-Nm092GXYsfxmGz0AQiDmHpcB_73Tw-IBLbrbdc1G_i6FAvowNImKbA62v9Tzr7a5nNZO2ku9NrCQRJDuuw4Emb3mCt0zE/s320/mackinnon+pass+9.small.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422797850931712018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyJirh6pskfug9HFc3jdizyXgSAFUE9tC-02rSo82aKQsdQFhAo1yKutEE-pjprD6zgewDf4ohVJf8hpyaUYEoE4rGZ6-b_8WOOTSiIfyEVNsCW17a_ZqsN2wu__E1lzZjM2Zoc76oDH8/s320/heli+glacier.small.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422800063722200946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHDgcdLReXMGw4GQh9LlIW0eInPYwq4TetqC5Z1KAtbdIEM7myNRDLVXH0V1p30zVdWf-hlaS2M_U6Qbne3kVVgT8m95xwqpOgRGUdUv2-uDAnzaJy1tLiNEeRrKM5bTU6osQIyBVdiQI/s320/fox+glacier+4.small.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422800072365093154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwz8VqR8LzKuhR3kwqn5STN-iA1CPHb5-EDCcbZ1ngXuKW4LcFclYMKxysThd9H_BKO3fooPSWAWUqtCfIqNbX1zKdrC6Dwpu8d43ywEfVkSf_zTd3qaJrVGdL-j7EWI3sCOWVxhFkJLA/s320/lex+ice+cave+2.small.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422800088972028882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLG9nf042mFriY0dtxKE7Trlxdp8ZTw1eM61hd2pmWLZoK7z31vXijWxqUPzOIJyD62W6ZHgl6sJWwAMEssRSo99hsuGB3vPTxB0wCFU5xmTt6V0g2FjyjetZVkngYnKcVXWBDURw3jSg/s320/doubtful+sound7.small.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422800081414441602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO8excw87NqiZ6oTqU2uFA93Nq19Sa0bKmGqvDbaM2dUjYAfwfFkL7QLYjyBC0aAnjIziAvLAsrGN8HFqdXrped6y003NNb7xO5CvDluNLaHykqltx9rx6iQL10XS5hDUd9wSAfOY1GCo/s320/doubtful+sound3.small.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422800096014135202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyMUvRcm9WXbpNiFgrGOfc7_XnXjINC_UJ5lu2vBJchmz8T5rGRVDD8jpgHFk3iDUivQj-W7d2dcDunqTdHVmMJZi7ZvOqV7Q498CHVHFdYlFkwoOAL6lJuCghY4x_VSqdpyVh_zW1wfM/s320/lex+cascade+saddle.small.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422800460960509602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0iJYIilXBQsg8Y4cFxJGX2lfd4O3lupZUxgwt53byWCxuKY9NDE1Av3a3wuTiKcp8n7JzsCapTpqihyphenhyphen__yd5usjZYPsur5USldSb3-paXUS7r59oyBlikwLMooobDA42UOHaXWoo-AO0/s320/aspiring+hut5.small.jpg" /><br /><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Kiwi Lexiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15624259744301905837noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2456829066092852579.post-78462400187987943492009-11-03T21:33:00.005+13:002009-11-03T22:07:43.918+13:00Time for a catch up!Hey everybody!<br /><br />Sorry I have been so terrible with the blogging as of late. It has been CRAZY busy here in New Zealand and I often find it much easier to just post pictures up on facebook considering internet is SO SLOW here in the land "Down Under" and it takes the blog AGES to load any pics.<br /><br />Anyway, a quick catch up...I've completely recovered from the ski accident and was cleared by neurology last week for all activities!<br /><br />I've been in Queenstown, New Zealand with my friends Dan and Emily prior to their departure back to the US. Then I was in Sydney, Australia a month ago presenting at the Australian Physiotherapy Association Conference week, went on a day hike near Wanaka, New Zealand last weekend, and today spent some time out at Tunnel Beach which is about a 10 minute drive from home....absolutely gorgeous!<br /><br />Here are a few pics and I'll try to be better! Got a lot of things going on this month including another trip to Queenstown, then hiking the Milford Sound Track, followed by a dolphin swim!<br /><br />Enjoy!<br /><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Once again, Queenstown, NZ...one of my favorite places!</div><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399796006443930834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW2hg_ZmDKamEp_lRfDyrw5YCvWT6_AtV9ZnocdfD0Rb-6QCNPN_9zYLXEcrbhwnMmJSoWpmmQdJ_Fw8THpVsBQLAuEhI9DbwLI5CpKaVUo-oYPVF-ok5T7XTiY8bYb4fS_UOvI2hlHis/s320/lexemqueenstown.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399796012332414098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDFmrC3f45Xam31GsgOoawMiCRCg8EPS8RMQsulvYhr_3Wv4E1_PG_iFe0ZmNqLU0hFC02as-XJLMdrXb-IC4sCZ0aaU3giN4c7U4qy6wXFmo08lnmwkw3sXVv3zGFvJYjVtPG4m-cbSA/s320/queenstown2.jpg" /></p><p align="center">Sydney, Australia...the Opera House and city skyline!</p><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399796019426311522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuYMZZioSCcWV0HBnyYWdcleA4bMkNPike_X1SRPbDYBgsi8YdEGweTg6Y6qT2Xi9HCnPNC6SrtQ73S9G9lRTfiASUeVs19kdiO2K4Z3c16REhb44e3gFv2IJ2tAelGK7dmFNfK8dr0Ts/s320/sunny+sydney+lexie.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399796028268195570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4bZ6pr_Kk1P6KjaNoO3r4-oLByRx93Qq0w-YswXzQdROB8ntaA4V-_-xXhBUBtLJpEy7XqW9XJf_ksyh-mfw4GBIEN59CgpruTrJrNsbTYvNn2JM0HfbTbFLlrARnuln_PgWfjYRgyYI/s320/sydney+skyline.jpg" /></p><p align="center">Brewster Hut Track near Wanaka, New Zealand</p><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399796034269888994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnhERsmLNdIUOlqPVEKJoFqyWGaKfELHOAcMUI6xTqmfcBrM4gb6CpDW2r1Uw7IsBHtWIIMogy0X_6Tb5yvKCswzdKEXWugh73kIh-7AHgcqP76FId6uuCQAMZHhKDbI5XZyO7yhNjCQo/s320/Brewster+Hut+yes2.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399798068585107026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLNcJfW2lKpMJHxQVl4GOvBh8VOlA81flUa2cWa5h7EKNAYqrEKdy3eWfkEYm4_wNKPj42qIe01PPyJCeuzFGt1q89VoRx6HtwXQvtO03COXmUu7aHDM29jioN64fQ0iL-BVO-85hKPFw/s320/Brewster+Hut+yes6.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399798063153536322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR7b0w-sgmaR0FzzNxQDu76uvCUxqefZIVVfm4uvWEq6_-WkP8Rb1QVGWmDNJgQssPSotMfMlCGJUtBR-EgZLh2Vl5Cb6N1zwqvzdVV-Cg8o0AIxQXjcFmsM3gSJ5rYhyybCWofqDS3mI/s320/Brewster+Hut+yes5.jpg" /></p><p align="center">And here are some from Tunnel Beach. Just a 10 minute drive from home! :) Not a bad place to live!</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkvXEAhaPV8Gsf_Ojam0ggWfC78dymfQRJvpR9l8NS3Ev_iUrLZo-x5BGOQ_asHldHYfwdnTIlbEtLPcjZmfA3sB0A1n3X8_i-cbXjlH7PJz1yoDSqZmXDI0ZFniPbqxio4zflJNiEhAc/s1600-h/TB+9.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399798917125553042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkvXEAhaPV8Gsf_Ojam0ggWfC78dymfQRJvpR9l8NS3Ev_iUrLZo-x5BGOQ_asHldHYfwdnTIlbEtLPcjZmfA3sB0A1n3X8_i-cbXjlH7PJz1yoDSqZmXDI0ZFniPbqxio4zflJNiEhAc/s320/TB+9.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnGpXrrJr61mdYGOMx_bMUEpoS116zb1YeiKtpj7a9kGU1DIEAUC8odcAxWc6B1HTIBex_qe66d6TjlfxuywB3Tf4JHBRfiW9VIQ0vIwn8XkGYki-1j5uw6X9OB1BEAdMzdxSrk9hppXg/s1600-h/TB+5.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399798093772550610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnGpXrrJr61mdYGOMx_bMUEpoS116zb1YeiKtpj7a9kGU1DIEAUC8odcAxWc6B1HTIBex_qe66d6TjlfxuywB3Tf4JHBRfiW9VIQ0vIwn8XkGYki-1j5uw6X9OB1BEAdMzdxSrk9hppXg/s320/TB+5.jpg" /></a><br /></p><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_BB6weq2eC2OEdi6RmUjjmwgGThiXuAvU3qbJRn00AK-ieXHw_WgKZ2zAPG4P84CisAmnFJupRfoHufs_-uCVK79ZkIkjcyn-1V_qQfGG14WksHcjhswzv8073-ZlE4_eoPPHL5VWvIM/s1600-h/lex+TB+shadow.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399798082356900146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_BB6weq2eC2OEdi6RmUjjmwgGThiXuAvU3qbJRn00AK-ieXHw_WgKZ2zAPG4P84CisAmnFJupRfoHufs_-uCVK79ZkIkjcyn-1V_qQfGG14WksHcjhswzv8073-ZlE4_eoPPHL5VWvIM/s320/lex+TB+shadow.jpg" /></a><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivrWhkNd92gpNcoprHFS6eF2lYQlhECOGSMOTsGWsBN3M5j5j905T_v8N3-_-VQmQPkGPWLb6BMU9r9pGDSP-iS2LwZG8-bUco0QgJt8ujtM13tTa8Mxqh3XqqRiFO0Vgo1PJg51OEHNk/s1600-h/TB+1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399798076519316162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivrWhkNd92gpNcoprHFS6eF2lYQlhECOGSMOTsGWsBN3M5j5j905T_v8N3-_-VQmQPkGPWLb6BMU9r9pGDSP-iS2LwZG8-bUco0QgJt8ujtM13tTa8Mxqh3XqqRiFO0Vgo1PJg51OEHNk/s320/TB+1.jpg" /></a><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Kiwi Lexiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15624259744301905837noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2456829066092852579.post-81875624413163131542009-08-30T19:55:00.004+12:002009-08-30T20:34:06.768+12:00Back in New Zealand - Land of Penguins!Hello all!! It has been a long time since my last blog and most of you who read this know I had a bit of a fall on the ski slopes here in late June and needed some time to recover. Anyway, I'm back here in New Zealand and about a week ago went out with my good friends Dan and Emily to see some NZ penguins up close and personal! This place is amazing! You can be within 10-15 feet of these guys and they don't move! We also saw some seals out there! Hope you enjoy these guys!<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375669552908990594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh2AGcHFyeue09NvTVOEbci8dt4HeRIXkjsWrAl-Q5yTUR81Fomh8PLU3rE4zxCN98AUwdvAmNOGJ4ELk0TOX0qwEUhxxYI_oIfTNdE5pPHXCkWpGr02gJPNPvorIdzk_BxynxbNr7N-8/s320/penguin+9.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375669544013440610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj73uUG-b_FZRLYwBglXkyncW-GoX7UKyvtjUVoxeY1zDH7Qam5TFbOiJOnqClJF_rSjncJoppCsARQfZfQ7mG6ksPaOhafGzxzk1SZFWw4oCile5_so3QDkdxlxkPwfna5bYzn8q1TkJM/s320/penguin+5.jpg" /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbqnxG7or1hC2PWKnooVNH8BWm_jFz6BOyIVjfF5-9MNg9Z_iuTus7Jz_gHMYXsKr5xkzAMaDzSkdebxRZTh17-GJVHD-L3MQO2LsQzvOJ5NWrP65ZmhkX0j3030Zdb8MRRMo5btbnIdE/s1600-h/seal+3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375670659094773746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOGJkqESdC63keidnVlSLgwGtxCBIgSNBqLsAy-i4VtNUbRbu8M9Hh-65chl8kY5IBa2YRUZlHyFI14wIckpC4WRsm504hMYlIbCLAAKVIuK_K6O0ClTIo7LpfmUWhAXQrtLjMLakE3CQ/s320/seal+2.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375670668572605330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbqnxG7or1hC2PWKnooVNH8BWm_jFz6BOyIVjfF5-9MNg9Z_iuTus7Jz_gHMYXsKr5xkzAMaDzSkdebxRZTh17-GJVHD-L3MQO2LsQzvOJ5NWrP65ZmhkX0j3030Zdb8MRRMo5btbnIdE/s320/seal+3.jpg" /><br /><div><div><div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHHGlaHUVVeaWc3Y_KHeFyNWIdSQdhDn8rYIYixFfVWkiknJHyKNyVLN4MIQLkCKCqQa10aFfsHE0GvgmBiDS5TfBgmdJElHU3R1wsE7CH61Fp8KnlsRUX6OaP3CdJ4a0OIUYftIMVRTU/s1600-h/penguin+4.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375669532761431954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHHGlaHUVVeaWc3Y_KHeFyNWIdSQdhDn8rYIYixFfVWkiknJHyKNyVLN4MIQLkCKCqQa10aFfsHE0GvgmBiDS5TfBgmdJElHU3R1wsE7CH61Fp8KnlsRUX6OaP3CdJ4a0OIUYftIMVRTU/s320/penguin+4.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitIz08qNxwcX-bELJjlE1qqhXZczK5XsiZfebUFvQCSD35qRFbDgqEFOB01hPv2Z6ZqGIf4ooiqVe2I05v5QtPm8XOKvDxvQNlQPf5IqtS9b_iIQ6e_uBmVOUj8U4wq00gS2qN9E0HAqU/s1600-h/penguin+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375669525650931794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitIz08qNxwcX-bELJjlE1qqhXZczK5XsiZfebUFvQCSD35qRFbDgqEFOB01hPv2Z6ZqGIf4ooiqVe2I05v5QtPm8XOKvDxvQNlQPf5IqtS9b_iIQ6e_uBmVOUj8U4wq00gS2qN9E0HAqU/s320/penguin+2.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimmAka9BK05-qHuIK47vHKyS-fB0bmS3NlOBuyLPZrijTz4fd4jiYKePyhaYUgiP2tU5129knoM6Rmbao0PZF-i3tQ9_XdJX4dmZymrykjnXFK4CFh31k43jJCQ1WoxqCvN4LjW1xCyXg/s1600-h/lexpenguin"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375669512742667826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimmAka9BK05-qHuIK47vHKyS-fB0bmS3NlOBuyLPZrijTz4fd4jiYKePyhaYUgiP2tU5129knoM6Rmbao0PZF-i3tQ9_XdJX4dmZymrykjnXFK4CFh31k43jJCQ1WoxqCvN4LjW1xCyXg/s320/lexpenguin" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div>Kiwi Lexiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15624259744301905837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2456829066092852579.post-53087480276570858102009-06-21T19:04:00.004+12:002009-06-21T19:23:23.143+12:00All Blacks!Just a few pictures from the All Blacks game we attended last weekend. They lost to France 27-22 but was still a lot of fun. For those of you who don't know, the All Blacks are New Zealand's national rugby team!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpl46Ru7fbQHQ802Z_mNriXgXbrvOeEEMHeyrPrtTV6AJZIzJicghV1srDczlZjZbYyPcht1fO80Q_ijOQCzMfyEiW-7XZdBzEjAYcPFcopAx2vat9InNnxxrlJJZ2Ec6xQxF3DFp-GsA/s1600-h/All+Blacks+019.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349676571574311426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpl46Ru7fbQHQ802Z_mNriXgXbrvOeEEMHeyrPrtTV6AJZIzJicghV1srDczlZjZbYyPcht1fO80Q_ijOQCzMfyEiW-7XZdBzEjAYcPFcopAx2vat9InNnxxrlJJZ2Ec6xQxF3DFp-GsA/s320/All+Blacks+019.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBzIZHiLWoOgMophZr2PxsZdBhvkXqTyt3KlPLMjFVhGHnp5vucdHX2HMxusg3PHWG2wu90nJ-o73P4G-J4JZrG0Ik0u4TCY3XBUyVgzwgon9PkC2cMR9RBtdZOlnhfQWd0quHYvXdl8I/s1600-h/All+Blacks+037.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349676561776222722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBzIZHiLWoOgMophZr2PxsZdBhvkXqTyt3KlPLMjFVhGHnp5vucdHX2HMxusg3PHWG2wu90nJ-o73P4G-J4JZrG0Ik0u4TCY3XBUyVgzwgon9PkC2cMR9RBtdZOlnhfQWd0quHYvXdl8I/s320/All+Blacks+037.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2YMOp_nJg_MT7fDHV3a6rrJil2YKG4YEI819c152JrdISrNk-c1pLCBQGxN5yU5ZRqaLueGNPGieVvbgMUpIDy14aNi4u4T3yrwSnc08ZrvmzdcJLVIPwRJos5wNHHMu1StGQIFip1jE/s1600-h/All+Blacks+011.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349676560031741026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2YMOp_nJg_MT7fDHV3a6rrJil2YKG4YEI819c152JrdISrNk-c1pLCBQGxN5yU5ZRqaLueGNPGieVvbgMUpIDy14aNi4u4T3yrwSnc08ZrvmzdcJLVIPwRJos5wNHHMu1StGQIFip1jE/s320/All+Blacks+011.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglVcaUZf8IoOUf6kIZZUfUM2qnnJAozTi9CSX6OAGQIWuSKpYzuLpvE1nkrCBgnnwdyfodG1IwZ0kIQiykOIT1oGoffN6SGpQwzVnsvkcG4csgLGdzwd70XSV0yTlUmQwORJQwgARBykw/s1600-h/All+Blacks+009.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349676553227990850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglVcaUZf8IoOUf6kIZZUfUM2qnnJAozTi9CSX6OAGQIWuSKpYzuLpvE1nkrCBgnnwdyfodG1IwZ0kIQiykOIT1oGoffN6SGpQwzVnsvkcG4csgLGdzwd70XSV0yTlUmQwORJQwgARBykw/s320/All+Blacks+009.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjny-ePh30SLFa4bA5SSGTJLnbX_LyN4PL0MfYnTiPf0yJex3-09lzfrOHbc15RYYUKI-psFUMtYVAjuAK2sTEvw1B4H6F1ujMibZotKssbcIReOj-Ii2bJ7wjX2pFsA6uOA2K2i32wnb4/s1600-h/All+Blacks+004.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349676544790130578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjny-ePh30SLFa4bA5SSGTJLnbX_LyN4PL0MfYnTiPf0yJex3-09lzfrOHbc15RYYUKI-psFUMtYVAjuAK2sTEvw1B4H6F1ujMibZotKssbcIReOj-Ii2bJ7wjX2pFsA6uOA2K2i32wnb4/s320/All+Blacks+004.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div></div></div></div>Kiwi Lexiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15624259744301905837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2456829066092852579.post-46046109506795067222009-04-14T16:21:00.009+12:002009-04-14T18:17:17.749+12:00Flying Solo North and Central New ZealandOk, so following Shannon's departure I had a few extra days to get back down to Dunedin from the Northern part of the South Island so I decided to do a bit of extra sightseeing on my own to some places that I've heard a lot of things about but haven't quite seen yet. <div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><br /><div>I started by driving 2 hours from Nelson down to Buller Gorge and visited New Zealand's longest swingbridge. </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324403942155294770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM1UEStUbTcLblqcOGVCHN7VjaWrW-spB1UJPotb_hfXsL5FV50t7eYitfLAtYnkOd3Al52lY79gaqiLuacSA-1E_uQ-FjeBtEx_XIdvHPQxCdxB5hP4lVwMW5OonBeRiJVeK_si96C2w/s320/swingbridge.jpg" border="0" /></div><div> </div><div>I walked around the park there for a bit on a beautiful afternoon. I stayed in a hostel that night known as the Lazy Cow! LOVED IT! :) I woke up the next morning for another adventure! Before I left the States I was given a National Geographic that had an excerpt on New Zealand. One of the things in the magazine that looked really interesting was this "cave rafting". I was intrigued. Well I noticed that the place that did this sort of thing was going to be on my drive down the West Coast so I hooked it up!! Basically, you arrive and are given a wetsuit, a helmet with a light, and an intertube. You start by taking this little train back into the Paparoa National park and walk across the river, up 120 steps and enter this enormous cave! It was absolutely amazing!! The limestone formations and things you can see in there were beautiful and b/c New Zealand is AWESOME, we don't have any bats here! </div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324407626963052482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxuD4jMFAihcPGVxvLaocOrv-IqCR_qXevTIelC3AzTCTI_uWc6ExX9XWYvzEqawvQDZeYLdVjYPOZhQqOs0HWylSPBBmyRNNUn_IiRj8xEHcpkeHcToJ4eohqaQGmzLviDUZ7yvMu7h0/s320/paparoa+ntnl+park.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324403949508731554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS29T07CQdrDKXrBEGIMxCURAkTweH7b1Y5jKvvUbFxYFSHJyaNIeCJE3ujiG6q8Rdgc6ArrcavOGSz_idWlIx1sxRjG6DTLS1fKNUkGAfADAAf5QeS9gDW6MNZTk0Elq50j-opopTsQc/s320/caving.jpg" border="0" /></div><div>So you walk through this cave for about an hour until you reach some water where you sit back in your tube, make a train with the others in your group, turn off your lights and you are in complete darkness!! You literally cannot see your hand if you put it in front of your face and they say within 2 hours you can start hallucinating and going mad!! So you lean back in your tube, paddle your way back a bit and on the ceiling of the cave is what is known as "glowworms" and they look like a million tiny stars lining the ceiling. </div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324403947108500146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4tcMlxel91AyMalaNnOJW_mC6AFbnc-optB12qvGa2aJ5Sr8VvPuY7jz1FjdbpK9-Pl2m1d2TU8xmLixNsLZF2TtXF9inVsPNpYqU1zk2l4-Psaz-hw3xsPay6dyjrEP8N-6DNjzysIY/s320/raft+train.jpg" border="0" /></div><div>Eventually you exit the cave and it spits you into the river where you ride down maybe a little under a mile in grade 1/2 rapids in an intertube! Hilarious and so fun!!</div><div> </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324403942752080130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiXyTDsi9n5xDODTslJ8TpMbtWapFjfQkWBijEJYKqBEcdBde8uUlfVQT8HGBpTbJ9veqKTmBYwKxejxsLG8g_4GBehIkYxLYenPuo2le9V8RyyLlbK8nXy757yunGwvHpGWa5XtgoA0k/s320/raft+cave+over.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324403954977858674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRaKWqXkoLYk-D3ncdtV9Rdpm5TECg6QKS5hpE7C_TaMtQ1g70-Aon1YPSY3UzmpbHX_Sx7fNkBo0rEew68vf8IpeJOhuUXhABF0Jcrdnm7cbyRMtd0TPnPFUeB46yAKurMHa2DcyJfJc/s320/white+water+tubing.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>Following the cave rafting I drove down to Punakaiki which is a big attraction in New Zealand for it's Pancake Rocks. These are again limestone formations that line the beach and are quite spectacular.</div><div> </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324407614585116690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqomFlv2O1mboUjo0prZMm7MIdL8IVun_e53Zr0Lv1jbMdghgv_5j3WAXGaZ_Rh_lnlBxippbLIqi0BxAD9rX5ttzL_iyqqgdncov_7m9fSjsmFtJv09jZqcuVAkVqienXXiW5pdpfNaQ/s320/pancake1.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324407618111155826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTe-l56ddM7rFdJ40mARSLpNqyaRR7B2Unh6tpV1y53uMcCol0H5nggzbrq9i7lqDGPNXshqCAvolzO3ALZWGv5ONyTb23NjLjsyeL016NnNuGFV7IHALmxpUX0c3TAoFXPUjGF0VLafQ/s320/pancake3.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324407621918584658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcRoScI7Q8SV6yI3l-xa8uEqmhpDex04NzfNA6HILlqPbzw38dYjbRSR2Du6QzE4REMHPcUEM0SWjXtT-FZ655dOnyW5vSmq4JbP1zUdCRyUE4tUpmybtb6F17kWA6J5n_9TJFlDj53BQ/s320/pancake4.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324411644013661202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4HB2r50JJvK9Ffqj5YgWol73DVVxJZbG70P_vj1KXuhu3gatOfpewfMlaW8ESWK5xOZIPw4cX1clXb0Iq2ClwKsjsuxOJW9K45bf90nSeqbdUE01irnaNUoBQdVuiSPHRmAbVAfrTyuY/s320/west+coast2.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>I slept at a hostel right on the beach and had a beautiful sunset!</div><div> </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324411657792577138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLHbDy5MsOvsiiL-teXVOMejBgDWGF92Hi7s2Cbt4756vu1IM_tyNLleD84kHCIXIaxuHMo0YGJzECU2t2aR7Gr80eJSsBNtXccGXMwXn-y5vludtyEzomfJoIzllozOy9YX7NRcR2bTA/s320/west+coast.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324411641900361778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS0RbApgd-WQkBqXw1Ds9a66fI8ukTQ5tcVsHkxX1S1vgNa17X-1mCmF7JQP6gNrBI4LYqHE35_Xs_XZ1iGE54aGa_hXU0K90cP_7hsXbvpv72x8JSU2XGCazZsplPqErRjKArKPuI5zE/s320/west+coast+4.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324411655005169186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ffUxMdusW-EWvswN4nfmV0okvIFbdmlJCTU7YphMO053Tb8-Ib_EhQ_b2GhI5Ycyy7x3VqHvsMVi8XIls9yrI0SKIPQl9_aPRP-lxV-loWaWa-IwZDI-5uPIebJjCyRB5IdPoB8b5_c/s320/lex+west+coast.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324407628400253938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtiSmtWBYwHjlW6ZNiMMyhsYIQniF6OF2GZzkyJqnZZYco74XuYx46uOZ6B3el9TP-KosBRbFKDD28JpysAIBi1B_nun1RTpFIUOvbkjpqo7Qgpd_MBYtC5BRjuBzMqMqjMQs4gdVVPnI/s320/beach+hostel.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324411649993316850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwXfpTxg8yZAQWlJpZwU5pv0M1qpzixFIevCGWVsJvx_E4znyfJnXsGMvmMGVilhP-_-mlGuG4z_1FLuesSlg5nuyOgum8P4foW580LQObISVLBv5iBZyuCThJbPVMmEst0Y3P56hV3vk/s320/west+sunset+2.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>The next morning I woke up, drove to Arthur's Pass National Park which is in Central New Zealand and enjoyed a 4 hour hike that nearly killed my legs as you basically walk straight up for 2 hours! I enjoyed lunch at the top and had some amazing views! </div><div> </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324415762462184450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim47LfWrlVzCPgimvTRN5zNCSvGh5iH9rIVciW5ml3Iv9AGQYRSGpAj0-33EtQEuqdppIWnk29VbQ8JQXo04Vf-RdahxypNFnleSV5acK_i9XblCGTkH_y_9VSFhLuGiO4XTniJCazPLg/s320/arthurs+1.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324415769048674898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGnPUWcuSIooNTKkwPhCjiizxjZDymn777mPP3NZXOuR7wabRPtAuCZsQ7_hfqxlzbNkJSBUde5ygSgoh8MuJcXESIQKQv2p1yQiinZo4m2E-0XmBahspgGhNf-9kH4vGjyCupdgNdnhQ/s320/scotts+track+2.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324415774417480706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhNE-6T58elaWSOUK5oCAprN8pl9UICujUJFYf6ZiRqy_Rm6x9r4T1W9ZlMyZ-LXEW2DI6Z9NJ702Lh5vwvfYYu5h8vXrHw2wqHlTJBMSnjnhvHL_NrqbYz2Tc22-B4sNU6fcxsqXe5yo/s320/scotts+track+3.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324415778139037266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIpaRXvlNkBQCwHBvLNiqDvHQOobld8NLBn_gC1VAytRJoVQfItLqCoGUMYp3tUOn-D5SCWxENFegreCYARnWoEEiDTbeVZvXUOZqp3z3p9aFgStSkGn5UXf1sAclyPwM8ji6NhSElT6I/s320/scotts+track+4.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324415783411036498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirDXy0kF0MVhn-b-nshiWuiT1qbl6hMgfDtJarv5BJGuHjDm0q-vqIfW5MsSwH79oe1C3U0xx6ayRsJUyY2Ypc1xFjvrpiPCxA-FwJI9Dyl1FeLdcgg9bCBrQs8mG04XZh3Y9dugw0GCU/s320/lex+scotts+track.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>Leaving Arthur's pass you come across something known as Castle Hill. Again, limestone formations but these sit smack in the middle of the country and farmland and you really can't appreciate how large they are until you are up close!</div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324421811546031122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ekhNq27Mavn1ZBSqTPt_dgnCgQEIkDpKm3adeyt_dkeORFcPS4rJK2XHUPzwbcEZD5R4ATXwtLaW9qLwpWZR0oxJHCCPnGVsIec0FvlJ2msTzSVcfLDjClHwIjGh50PBIJ__mc89P9w/s320/castle+hill+4.jpg" border="0" /></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324421802184458386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX6syL0PcCrzBdniGQLz1A5N2HEbEZJwfJEeUpoevDMiDhgLsxcqub8-Joz6nrOFR0D7nenqIrwun2vbJbKY6hU5kRVPMlGfLBvSMVnvE6a_UXx0UiILeQ_-y0rDoLCjM1pGrd7cU9TMo/s320/castle+hill+1.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324421806492846178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Y-NNKeJzW3htdR0at9D6TFKrEjO3C5ZRt_x_tg3pIZGdCdAsEbN5PD0W6rDOurWtLyJJuZvIFlc5YPkTESsGz_qRL-yfmhvDSvd1H7s3IOyEP85kqDzqy5_Le-4xxOxuVgPUZWTWut4/s320/castle+hill+2.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324421816576027106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi89c3Wd0GzrXZtr2Ouna42EFwUA3jSJ81jKaHtYs-IMv8Op7z09_ac9wCG35KRMN_5cZYNmz4wMxBuvM3eSqc54KsS2Q_ZVMC0zfEoLWzBzwDumWcHka5gxDu8xcXjjgnXEkzyhjMscrc/s320/lex+castle.jpg" border="0" /></div><div> </div><div>And finally, on the drive home that evening just an hour outside of Dunedin I stopped at the Moeraki Boulders. I'm amazed I hadn't been here yet to see them as they are so close but anyway, it made for some great pictures on a beautiful beach!</div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324421822107268658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-J0OiXtQ7gqYwskrPf5ZLZ-cj86o1s4s5zMrqKnKsWYcrhRmebOtbSUaH63e_15tasKOYrSFIauMPheL8ugphSSAk57aG_sLorx4shzRSaiOxuOJEkmfRROT_AsP38YhB8TniG7-AejM/s320/moeraki+6.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324422339946003586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZX5FIqf2Js-qOhXHyNQdb6NjtzBvCTPSv451CpyfCrjcFYMMp7sCpzkT_K4OPFUZDmKZlAfc6CNOCVAqtZgr1YESh_Ho9Aa3h8VobRw4NL98A2y_zLkryioeCEUVEFVi-8Jk_wNDr3-k/s320/moeraki+5.jpg" border="0" /></div><div>I'm back in Dunedin now and back to work! The plan is to get some work done for a bit and then maybe consider another hike in a few weeks and I'm also getting my scuba certification in May so lots to look forward to!</div><br /><div>Hope everyone is well back home!</div><br /><div>love,<br />lex</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Kiwi Lexiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15624259744301905837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2456829066092852579.post-55182334733007471052009-04-13T21:30:00.006+12:002009-04-13T22:30:36.434+12:00Last days of Shannon's trip Down Under<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324120865961234226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNG3OPMRZiLOwPZp84BtwhzaXN1ac-5epGB6MEal7H3njelvyQyxshwjwlsqpuEFst1nkoiXb9xX94hzxRjr38b38NN-uTOrfoeo5ozTEEKJhstXBti2aBR87PDyI81B5yhuEozCKtG-A/s320/lex+awaroa.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7UWII86AvQFKhjXU9CpASbkgEX48clXhoZtFy_HaQrMdirKDoirtoSGPz6fBg_qInYkHyfIdmSOP-c8Ykd-wvi4SlvcCXDVHTIkA9T0fhxypQV3Kh1XFVhtUvlXDDcEpwzmE0G_VE6ao/s1600-h/abel+tasman+1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324114933036256274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7UWII86AvQFKhjXU9CpASbkgEX48clXhoZtFy_HaQrMdirKDoirtoSGPz6fBg_qInYkHyfIdmSOP-c8Ykd-wvi4SlvcCXDVHTIkA9T0fhxypQV3Kh1XFVhtUvlXDDcEpwzmE0G_VE6ao/s320/abel+tasman+1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>So days 7 & 8 marked the end of Shannon's trip in New Zealand and so we ended with a 2 day hike in the Abel Tasman National Park. </div><br /><div>Can we say Golden Beaches and I mean GOLDEN!! BEAUTIFUL!!</div><br /><div>We walked what is known as the Abel Tasman Coast Track and is considered one of New Zealand's "Great Walks". We ended up with a few tidal crossings which I will explain later! :)</div><br /><div>We started off from Kaiteriteri where we boarded another jet boat out to Anchorage. We made a quick stop at Split Apple Rock which is a crazy limestone formation that over the years has simply cracked down the middle. From Anchorage, we walked to Torrent Bay and then stopped at Bark Bay for the evening. We had a short side trip to Cleopatra's pool where one of the rivers forms a pool of water and had lunch. Beautiful spot.<br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324114941712022242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhofCTAyOWVczoYY6pZEDILcD6xBsM37zu8uGiE_zy3qXqp2w2NY_le3hFQR5IKZ9U5dB3qG1EEQ4o-5o1Gm9B4SpQ7X-HxMplUCM7kctf6YxfGA98oFUNbleOCt4Nh5Za1aZb6KIRZ7Rc/s320/split+apple1.jpg" border="0" /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324117861718152146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ihsLTzCveLKRFTtQdfJebhZ_QeqH5hbUWTYfwukev22MAkAfsFLOZzC1KuK6E4qAYeFHrHYV2NAFTXwEosqij1VEodfo8qMnt6zFIDwNyZeSj8_4w06RJ5yWH38ZubZSbijyrsaPSyw/s320/lexshayabel.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324114938729480482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixvj3v1-G8EmZ5MGbaGh0LbjJe4yLJ08ZHwFBBimiXjNd5SIf6jajZ5qIENl9EJjyrSlfAWp_TNLPFCGOw-eewobYB0kc0im0VippOl9bg5Z4tOVrWSAb2-KAb9eCKzTlEUImQbR7u74g/s320/anchorage+abel.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324114948636630338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlGSJzjLAWDCdiLL5QHkmkhPvKxeSNuepDHcD47YMnWp4ZcgGwXxkc1VdD6k1gLPO0jRpQ7CaF_t5Z6tqw1DpfegcuuTcl1wloxUx_LcvRtKcT7YO_MJZVl1qbzafnWLCtOyJSXisA3is/s320/torrent+bay.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324114953118051266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgwzgbqydsnh4Ua0siyk59SMpNT0bfNLouclBCXgxo5ktbXrfEZ9gR_xszf5NsIRraYLh66yztZWzRcKox_UOiWS1e_ejyhE_HucUJ0AhycGVMiAAXJoNSquIcjCfJMywMdCDyrQG6BEo/s320/abel4.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324116624073038690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtWkqZLosUiU9PzIcDt7kpwlmMagE4Jm-k1fIvOOaW5WoM5YEEajzLZAP8gsj2kUDQtAF41U4a-cQGEpXSiisGXwqmVH-anw5SniukoUrtSf0BFuKMJQs_68I6_98nTXGLdZYjfB6myiA/s320/cleos+pool.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324116626455419826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHZ8V31TmXNbCDH8QNKdr-Lm3T-c6O5HwvGlqAUqbfzFgIiJNwkpi2BQbXR7-QhKi1s6F4ue2g7QJH51kPvLlc7BRxpDcpi6EA0gvI_ag5KyNHOC1lN4h1Be299YcHQNYjv4yEvMDmkYc/s320/cleosign.jpg" border="0" />We stayed in one of the huts at Bark Bay where we had bunks and cooked up some pasta. We also collected some great shells and spotted a little starfish!</div><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324116618583036642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqILXBFx2HP2VGrPvlx-cE5MENeYtI6S0yJg_MSRtiT2vIwLHZQm1zbgdB2euQQhuXCqWqwv3-Af_GXUfrCx2lWRgdbHQwVoPX-tZ2LmWA0E_8AJEeGCGx2HZjc3uLLZ5FCdS-4qr9JyM/s320/bark+bay.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324117866596936242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYqPRJ4SlysnkXSve3cYvwGH3u6JwJMc_eOLNADOzdeszZYuxcag7yUT7By8EJguNEYyyjiDrLvMUxtjeVBv5itEHefs4Lp-islxlmoki6y5A01Y92Nb0l0bD8Tnw5K010yf3tq6G4Hx8/s320/starfish.jpg" border="0" />The next morning we woke up and hiked to Awaroa Beach which was just gorgeous once again!</div></div><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324117859352957954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQLR770CvxY076YUOaMM-BQ0NOZCsIep0ugEaDC_QMJwLCigmgWrM9V0KkYLrKDUDboA9QgzNOOFmov1e2h7-0fDxqtvB-CdKoy4TWOUWAmUp-juu_1ocdCgGkxO7tlC5KtFR4BFt4Mws/s320/onetahuni+beach+cross.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><br /><div>So this here is Onetahuni beach where Shannon and I had to do a tidal crossing...well...apparently we were a bit early and so we had to cross it while the tide was still in a bit so that we could make our water taxi later. This is Shannon here AFTER the cross...we were in it up over our knees and WOW it was cold!! :)<br /><br /></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324116613968068498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixibg0W-HtHRSyvHSGiokMoaHGYWv6m-VgjqlT3PTNn8q8q3XhFe6i2vsICO_4j-iGH9FGS_7821YgzqtsAgvkYtRq5lnRTw0w24M4X6m_ZjeydrrwAQF5rAyuMoEzaiKjv9CWPEnOcMw/s320/awaroa+beach.jpg" border="0" /><br /></div><div><div>Finally we boarded a water taxi back to Kaiteriteri, drove back to Nelson, had a dinner out and went to sleep. </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324116612852996194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQIe7XiNcL45Ni2Dn5pBORXGV5oxGzR9XmYngEOuLysExInYlk3PSzxlgzrb4j502umnAoSgQR5pbH7WONMLIcZ04KoiDPVcyjHnA0JarSMQuk_X19WnVcCKcCwZ7jsP1g7R3XPJW16Yg/s320/abel6.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>We woke up the last day in Nelson on Good Friday where Shannon and I grabbed some breakfast and then headed to the beach for a few hours before taking Shannon to the airport for her trip home. </div><br /><div>We had a wonderful trip and I was sad to see her go! Thanks for the memories, Shannon!! </div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324120872595721058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8knQv-bqy6Clv-rfwl1pL-V4ePd1RXCK8GZK2N265OGXxvLDS_joTfw1tCGGup0DxduzYWXcN2SyPVU8YbIc4s17n3eqVMvBXSq6QNuT70KP9NDVykudG1zlXphJ1H_mMYGu05IYJB58/s320/IMG_3574.JPG" border="0" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Kiwi Lexiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15624259744301905837noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2456829066092852579.post-66314393868240346202009-04-13T21:04:00.004+12:002009-04-13T21:30:41.568+12:00Days 5 & 6 "Autumn Break" and Shannon's Trip Down Under<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324104785244645378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic5s-X6AzRBmVvHhdEil_MIAYcFKFt8m88LTXu3gm941taz9wbu38Pjv2UI1GEzaKJEljVf7rXp9yMjt0kvkMglaOCxAN07n10M_URn6s9orZVSgtfUtBmp0qaF-cIDVgzQcoopUD_lUA/s320/lexshaycharlotte.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div>So now onto days 5 & 6. I guess I should start by saying that following our 4 hour canoe trip in the morning, Shannon and I had to drive the 4 or 5 hours down to Wellington to catch our Interisland ferry across to the South Island. Yay!! Road Trips!!<br /><div>Anyway, we took the ferry across (a 3 hour trip) arrived at our hostel, got some sleep, and woke up the next morning to Picton and the Queen Charlotte Sounds and hike! </div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324104783016029634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdMYcu8a62ka5206771soRKIoz1ZAExhc8rsUNQmROjjiQ4YafjUY0_kebWe4qqc9FucT6ryoVfOIopYOwxOcAFkofQGZCCEO_7POUIOwEVKR2uf2SCMZsCB02f2nD_L271cksvQ-2rOg/s320/lex+charlotte.jpg" border="0" /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324103445249955618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmYMXZ0rCSQeB6zb776GE4svWRiF7JE5uz-H2PKnbJ3y-tpJqmYDyLIjGsJ4fnvcsthPTGOmYsEAdmxFeukbqOH-ohUf3FZj_TdcHcVmBAcT8N_rHsiEh9wmEf9Ux0qEzzI2wLr9e617A/s320/queen+charlotte+1.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324103451734737506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD6GUJFVdqzVyBmmcgRWsHS6YD2VjzuMH2ql8dGdVgpPvrv2QmIrld_0LPRlN2iIDUmZtixtV-4EZCQhIExvxFGHmvUPacqWcOtgVATLWkPP78-yA1e56qA-ZuwNSUHMzU5y9cy0qmvfQ/s320/charlotte+2.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>We first boarded our water taxi out to Ship Cove where Captain James Cook first took shelter in New Zealand. We started our hike through beech trees, shrubs, and other small trees and finally made our way up to a lookout where you could see the Sounds from above. </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324103459575943186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLsA8scJFVIVEjqtT2omKzMFl_tY3ox7HeroXp8ZokWc6IYlrMB-OJhgF8adESzitwstjEOMkbQvUydHKgH8vQ5d9rbduSdHI7voL3wqUXxp6YcqamSt5zO8NsH2tmpOkKbYuI9W85968/s320/charlotte5.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>We ended up walking 26.5km TODAY!!! OUCH!! Our legs were hurting by the end of it and I thought for a minute Shannon was highly considering killing me after making her hike that far. I was sore and I know coming from flatland Illinois and hiking here in New Zealand is quite the change! :)<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324103455311265090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRJ4mjNjwMpSJN6SFQe9XWZ1jbWfpAScwC_YrUh9iRzaK71HQrJTJCcg0N2UZftdDMcSKJex6mGaGB3gSFvnP8J8r37wAkllkHFo98JkRwlXbR2V-3h5QwZTfQozSAqKglWXL8Nt8FHUI/s320/charlotte4.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /></div><div>She ended up not killing me and we stayed overnight at a resort which also had hostel accomodation. </div><br /><div>The sounds were absolutely beautiful and the views amazing!! We were supposed to hike another 21 or 24 km the next day but it was raining a bit and we were so tired that we didn't really feel up to hiking without the good views so we ended up chilling out at the resort for a few hours and taking the water taxi back into Picton. Actually a very good day for a rest!</div><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324103465564385586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyxZCF6v-dkxrq8sGZfUkdZPqtTG4eYT0CtCKjmgF8pOKrFH7R4HinbpQ9M3sDqKzaXvB6xW7Z4x1Ufjr7MJYr7qaO0Zgy3cQeAkYV-0wHt2E0qlPspxgHKuAK_bG-BXjJaLGhFNwCiys/s320/charlotte7.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Kiwi Lexiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15624259744301905837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2456829066092852579.post-43074417798057823632009-04-13T20:38:00.005+12:002009-04-13T21:04:13.017+12:00Days 3 & 4 "Autumn" Break and Shannon's trip Down UnderHello again!! <div><div><div><div><div><br /><div>So days 3 & 4 consisted of some time in the Whanganui National Park on the North Island of New Zealand!</div><br /><div>We began by driving down this CRAZY road where at one point we thought we were lost b/c there was no sign of human life ANYWHERE! We eventually made it to Pipiriki where we were told to go to coffee shop as a meeting place. Ok, literally....this was a trailer with a hand made sign saying coffee shop! </div><br /><div>Anyway, we made our way there and boarded a jet boat which sped us up the Whanganui River. This river was pretty spectacular as it runs from Central North Island New Zealand clear out to the Tasman sea. We found out that it was once used as a highway by boats to get around! </div><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324095285996865538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjYTu2fD1qGZr3sshxC5woG9_xQPCNa-m8vs0HC5TWNsB8qchVXLiGm9SN7vMjcajcq-e4a1xtFuXntDvDOsJhTiXPsLlQ63bNmKHPfmhpo0WBkpmaCvlrJZokBlAmoMCOYJN_o7gFr1E/s320/IMG_3433.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div></div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324095290753444258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5c4ty9ZgI8kffdX4o0jWEgJ2HMaWmtfH-fsjvqDpR8RPtlotkRDAbFwwzzsFTVkBVrNhvzdutmDly9wYmwUR-pFXklRVGBcZPimPNclO97jZZnHZ4Pp9G3IFq8QxbMgEoOEbxjwwmgHE/s320/IMG_3449.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><div>The boat took us up to an attraction known as the Bridge to Nowhere...and literally...here is a concrete bridge suitable for cars to be driven on and it goes into NOTHINGNESS!! By the way, on our 40 minute walk out there we had to dodge a goat on our path!</div><br /><div></div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324097594507575154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyQTKsnY7mj21YgGa_cEv7fJRhZLGGnD0ibU75J99Z3DzwcvZ3_1rO3SpCQyrZtGZ3IqhRf4c_jdwbDBcs0qRlSrOj1ur4TN1eTs6BNRamoK9mGr0f5c7-M8S3h0VcBwrX7cgC5_ZW3Z0/s320/bridge+nowhere.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>Here is a quick history of the Bridge to Nowhere:<br /></div><div><em>This bridge is the unofficial flagship of Whanganui National Park, an iconic symbol for New Zealand adventure tourism and a major visitor destination on the Whanganui Journey.<br />It is still used as a trampers’ bridge at the southern access point to the Mangapurua Valley.</em></div><em><br /><div>It was constructed in the mid-1930s to provide road access to the lower and middle valley farms known as the Mangapurua Valley Soldiers Settlement. </div><br /><div>By the time it was completed these areas of the Mangapurua Valley were deserted, the bridge rarely used and the construction of the road to the Whanganui River abandoned.</em> </div><br /><div>Following our tour, we made it back to the only Lodge within the National Park. This place was spectacular! Completely isolated, right on the river. This had to be the best ever spot to sleep. We used our afternoon to recover from our previous day's 19.4km hike and did some sunbathing, reading, relaxing, playing scrabble!! :) At night you could hear the Bucks in the forest calling out for their mates!</div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324097602581874498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPBf6PgJzqAcnO_osceYQd43f2JpMynEOr_3UrLfr0d6Jj5W97543fQmfeX4vEjPGMMe-SglN48XI0ANfP2SVdAN9udf40oS2XMUp2SB4LOkPhTN8U7Yh5UOtd7i06XQGsq9giBaZMxoU/s320/lodge+nowhere.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324097605630720850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVHCljwvpZrjSVyH3dLpxERrDHwwKWso2EW_h6zAJ5uZgikG4We9LJ_orBZ-N6Ferqq2QkCIj98UhjNWs2nXll2EZfI1SuCkw9XUNtPJlHKWTRylv8NPpxLcEllIahxTIuTx0LVKWquSU/s320/whanganui+river.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>The following morning Shannon and I got up early and canoed down the Whanganui River for 4 hours back to our drop-off location!! Beautiful and VERY tiring!! My arms were screaming!! </div><div> </div></div></div></div></div></div>Kiwi Lexiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15624259744301905837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2456829066092852579.post-23776589465240836372009-04-13T19:59:00.006+12:002009-04-13T20:37:48.484+12:00Day 1 and 2 "Autumn" break and Shannon's trip "Down Under"Hey everybody!! So my best friend from college was able to come down for about 9 days and visit me in New Zealand!!! We had a great trip planned which started with me picking her up in Auckland on the North Island. I flew into Auckland to meet her there so that we could see a bit of the North Island as I am living on the South Island. Anyway, after picking up the rental car in the nice Nissan Sunny (don't even think we have those up North) we started our 4 hour road trip to Taupo, New Zealand. Taupo is a considerable touristy spot as it boasts the largest lake in Australasia. We started with a 2 hour hike out to Huka Falls and then hit the supermarket for our days ahead. Many of the places we were heading had no supermarkets so we needed to be prepared!!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnudExTONZ2Hu55H0x8VDHg9dGNjX6pWscPXvV3LUfSK5JwaRjFLXzyeoxyIs502pnH2weyiDzU4RJ7FvcaNuQbdoxreAD4eGIFDMQn8mQqIVbX19TlSD_CPrdqdfxgH8gcqiBy_g3xI8/s1600-h/huka+shay+lex.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324086327167224210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnudExTONZ2Hu55H0x8VDHg9dGNjX6pWscPXvV3LUfSK5JwaRjFLXzyeoxyIs502pnH2weyiDzU4RJ7FvcaNuQbdoxreAD4eGIFDMQn8mQqIVbX19TlSD_CPrdqdfxgH8gcqiBy_g3xI8/s320/huka+shay+lex.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-cdGYO_OPLeA0y2TrDJOvgAWD_GR-lLFmBJLruzSstHMliByVLS2L5Wn_jGMncP1OZATIj38NJb6FbERH5XuRVLVFnnNN2l2fWJp9JRLhfDuoOKChi-NLPv_U2qKv2gJgBak9mUjEWGY/s1600-h/huka+falls+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324086328950247458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-cdGYO_OPLeA0y2TrDJOvgAWD_GR-lLFmBJLruzSstHMliByVLS2L5Wn_jGMncP1OZATIj38NJb6FbERH5XuRVLVFnnNN2l2fWJp9JRLhfDuoOKChi-NLPv_U2qKv2gJgBak9mUjEWGY/s320/huka+falls+2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Day 2 was AMAZING!!! We hiked 19.4km over the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. The Tongarior National Park was the 1st in New Zealand and apparently the 4th in the world. I was surprised to hear that being that New Zealand is such a young country but apparently national parks are relatively recent.<br /><br />The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is a 19.4km hike over volcanic terrain. It boasts such things as the summit of Mt. Ngauruhoe, Red Crater (still active as you can smell the sulphur), and the emerald lakes (colors due to minerals leaching from the adjoining thermal areas). About a 7 hour trip! Welcome to New Zealand, Shannon!! haha<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324088780197438082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiggLUbXiPVdyUjhcSBuYB3LWPT_EirHcGXvSbY0EGLP_USIGSfAyYd20l86j0_rdoF8KCZl0i8xCKpGxrY47WB87GUIy4tfkoR93jzP3w_XKN-E8ZMnQ7eJBX9Jmm-aNL0gfQqatL28OE/s320/IMG_3377.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324088797286457698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwFDtDaiyqk8omgyH-bub-AWkB5gA4PBmHw0dDXk0bfeadj21Fp8xF_kLr0NPnuHWrttzTi5AeVF-giPX8SgYsDqq1UIjzxNLbXW578kNfkDCAk3JMAaObyXGbl2hl2U5UStK7wVPHp4w/s320/mt+ngauruhoe+2.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324088792036056178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgri8krSqrG0MIhPrI_RC_rA0Qjliw0UWnd50atmaGy90lU2y1dlLRIeteNymtdxR5FSgJG9afteWf-TF4UWdMTNJf_STRksgIoe6jvXcsUUVe0CMDTlS6bWmzhtmbQ2OIV0EqtQjyD_1E/s320/south+canyon.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324088789249936290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6DqebZYmLMNPyESat8ACxQyNPkWuOEVPrZTAZ4xxcYoRroh0bPPACE8Q8xqNrAXzx89w8thCqw8qZonvCvorymeqNV4QrD79kr3THEyt8NOkZEdguWZEXqiH47zjcpKP_NTxsgDVg-cQ/s320/red+crater+2.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324088783700493778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcQVriyHHSfdm2CLQa8rImmEiZqxYVLzUWxMPjHw2TVBYC_znDI9O5mD1gQK-jaX0QWkbfosYY4Tk1PxZXI1lstqoa80sm8-IuB6sK7TL5hz63YGi_uiITrnEda5LG4UC9hGZ74mPAMzY/s320/red+crater+1.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324091165308312946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiithAzYog_jULgsb6HNVgCyg51C9y17ZBXFC2iwnSHlJG1Uxkq_4-wl_Gb8347Iq5mpTbtx-EXOdaOz6vg892s28z-tCulslGUt05gcN4a2xSU91vBE_gwhQ9wTmN8r7RJoCPd7u-xMaU/s320/down+red+crater.jpg" border="0" /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4zRJZTsvMLdaFk1ZAW7obBMO509qSF0VfX4m7_FpzzC2hkWlotSm7_we_saSwh0HFoxv9iSGxhZ5ft3AtOqEsfVL6qdFfTuGhQ0qHiFfYM_USsGCv3VgPp7jMsVWUjhhlBksMHexIcOs/s1600-h/emerald3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324091177727636866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4zRJZTsvMLdaFk1ZAW7obBMO509qSF0VfX4m7_FpzzC2hkWlotSm7_we_saSwh0HFoxv9iSGxhZ5ft3AtOqEsfVL6qdFfTuGhQ0qHiFfYM_USsGCv3VgPp7jMsVWUjhhlBksMHexIcOs/s320/emerald3.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYOOCy6EyM_PZnmxIbitNsE1WGMvUxUA3KJk-88UGp8RWiSlsXP-pPzhZFTAl9BOsnAIRwswDYXnJLRPb7s68fCJ_YGfcGLnNOoCay-feAFaH8Vm-frWDxavTiMFNe4i9SbY5Jx1bsu6U/s1600-h/emerald2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324091170746112722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYOOCy6EyM_PZnmxIbitNsE1WGMvUxUA3KJk-88UGp8RWiSlsXP-pPzhZFTAl9BOsnAIRwswDYXnJLRPb7s68fCJ_YGfcGLnNOoCay-feAFaH8Vm-frWDxavTiMFNe4i9SbY5Jx1bsu6U/s320/emerald2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBu0rYQpyCbIsLj9B8IbOuJU0z0FqHSb8t3XVW1yHv10OjkUdRlChJKgDt1ZXjoDPjwPXzuYivQ2sUqKQeehHbv0F9iMy_k7uNSBIqUbIPJ196a-cP55way1ZC83iexcQ5smPWy5IbUU0/s1600-h/emerald1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324091166052695650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBu0rYQpyCbIsLj9B8IbOuJU0z0FqHSb8t3XVW1yHv10OjkUdRlChJKgDt1ZXjoDPjwPXzuYivQ2sUqKQeehHbv0F9iMy_k7uNSBIqUbIPJ196a-cP55way1ZC83iexcQ5smPWy5IbUU0/s320/emerald1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324091178711806866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9yYdaVRe9vejIsbV2KbVGvkmxjoX1IYItI_iSP36GGIhB1Yu5gMr6aspBUSebmWXJz-EDr7RGjpUSmy0JhOhjGBzsIMCjoEWzeoktCiuhN6orpdp2iwqwrTCoiyLaInKurE3kK8OE-TI/s320/lex+tongo.jpg" border="0" />Kiwi Lexiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15624259744301905837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2456829066092852579.post-24921045000106891472009-03-23T21:05:00.010+13:002009-03-25T20:03:26.597+13:00Routeburn Track<div align="left">Hello everyone!!
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<br />I suppose it is about time I update this blog since it's been a few months! I haven't really been up to anything too exciting other than writing papers and studying statistics and meanwhile I'm still seeing those patients with Osteoarthritis!
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<br />Anyway, I was finally able to get away for a weekend "tramp" this weekend over to the Routeburn Track which according to National Geographic is considered the 10th best hike in the WORLD!! I was joined by my friends Dan and Emily who helped push me along as we climbed these mountains!
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<br />We started off a a bit late on Friday evening meaning that we had to walk part of the first 2 hours in the DARK! Probably not smart considering some of the places we crossed are considered dangerous as avalanches can occur. Luckily, it's late summer so we didn't have too much risk. We arrived at our 48 bed bunk which was pretty nice and had some amazing views as it was located next to the Routeburn Falls. We then hiked the next day up to Harris Saddle along the mountain ridge and then down to Lake McKenzie hut. You'll see pictures of the lake below and that water is COLD!! Trust me! I know from personal experience!! ;). The next day we made it out of the track and back home!
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<br />Here is a bit about it according to the Deparment of Conservation of New Zealand!
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<br /><em>The Routeburn Track traverses 32 kilometres of Mount Aspiring and Fiordland National Parks, part of Te Wāhipounamu – South West New Zealand World Heritage Area and is administered by the Department of Conservation on behalf of the New Zealand public.
<br />Located in the southwest of the South Island the track extends between the head of Lake Wakatipu and S.H. 94, the Te Anau – Milford Road. The track passes through several avalanche paths colonised by ribbonwood, one of New Zealand’s few deciduous trees. Above the bushline between Lake Mackenzie and the Routeburn Falls are snow tussock grasslands, and herbfields with mountain buttercups, daisies, and ourisias. The Routeburn Track is one of New Zealand’s most popular tracks, with over 13,000 walkers completing the track each year. </em></div><p><em>Enjoy!</em>
<br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXZ0a_u6IDumQaVTTz57CNpY52CQFIJpgSuKnjZ2YN_XBib_vfaZkPX2ZV4P7C3QzJlrE1UcLvX75KGXMnU8ihwAwFGVqCnFW9MaScn9aPyETltFbJUybMJ1feayS9lYFsHik5gPX3oAs/s1600-h/Routeburn+Track+day+1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317010762502342210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXZ0a_u6IDumQaVTTz57CNpY52CQFIJpgSuKnjZ2YN_XBib_vfaZkPX2ZV4P7C3QzJlrE1UcLvX75KGXMnU8ihwAwFGVqCnFW9MaScn9aPyETltFbJUybMJ1feayS9lYFsHik5gPX3oAs/s320/Routeburn+Track+day+1.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center"></a></p><p align="center">Day 1 Track</p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317013948255546770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8LoMtDapuWeAwwSjVL-29ie_hi7GKNBwg5MT9BDhCLiIwwow3NY2MdO6va96VfNrFn_7Xu57094y0JTUB9-IhrrpQLtZ4v9v2nr1tmmukCgAFS4Fh4ElFeNM1Satb9oUX4oFPNo25BiY/s320/rocks+and+mountains.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center"></a>Lake McKenzie Rocks
<br /></p><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN4S0G7HcmywM5PpdyfNZtf1HG3B0NGhmMzEvc5le9WhbYW1Ccg6vpxLsgyROudtsmdaeHKxEGtJPmxG7OUu5WJyCT34AIWfDxBvXjl6Ye0kMZpXEIIE3sQXX1fE4AglXWT0ijimH8iKs/s1600-h/random+waterfalls.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317013197069488370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN4S0G7HcmywM5PpdyfNZtf1HG3B0NGhmMzEvc5le9WhbYW1Ccg6vpxLsgyROudtsmdaeHKxEGtJPmxG7OUu5WJyCT34AIWfDxBvXjl6Ye0kMZpXEIIE3sQXX1fE4AglXWT0ijimH8iKs/s320/random+waterfalls.jpg" border="0" /></a> Random Falls
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7nB5XjWNNAjj26SDQwrpuWEZvEzrmslh85N2N5HDBpBJEVVm9Kd8pqHLSRR4lsU0QIvlp-abb0lNHrpH_zNeFPYEwRMW36r3Zzgba_pni2tSkpATlgbDOkFkVkgwYArwelD4UOXi2v2Q/s1600-h/mckenzie+rocks.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317013192158804898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7nB5XjWNNAjj26SDQwrpuWEZvEzrmslh85N2N5HDBpBJEVVm9Kd8pqHLSRR4lsU0QIvlp-abb0lNHrpH_zNeFPYEwRMW36r3Zzgba_pni2tSkpATlgbDOkFkVkgwYArwelD4UOXi2v2Q/s320/mckenzie+rocks.jpg" border="0" /></a> Lake McKenzie
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvJYvifb_ZuW4agSXeBU9EQReNmVXq7nVB_dRNrMqkT1SL5mGh_BbnO4lwysAF7y3kztsqzzp4-GI0RY4Sngxc2FNWmT4xGXVAj0og1VZ5WDujucflosg72ZL4xi7n499dcE2TRapC4Pw/s1600-h/IMG_1546.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317013187131741554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvJYvifb_ZuW4agSXeBU9EQReNmVXq7nVB_dRNrMqkT1SL5mGh_BbnO4lwysAF7y3kztsqzzp4-GI0RY4Sngxc2FNWmT4xGXVAj0og1VZ5WDujucflosg72ZL4xi7n499dcE2TRapC4Pw/s320/IMG_1546.JPG" border="0" /></a> Routeburn Falls Hut
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4RnySG_h5mCPHThyqeYpdDLDrxuCm41qtlBaNRk6tAhd5n11fEC0Gnl6DHWaJYQECJs97OgwWf9gizhxL_GuysdqdCxUxKL3iy7VH-XL0FE8OnSDd6XG4lFeT-8VuVBxQHXq_JnZaYYw/s1600-h/Green+water.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317013186714893730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4RnySG_h5mCPHThyqeYpdDLDrxuCm41qtlBaNRk6tAhd5n11fEC0Gnl6DHWaJYQECJs97OgwWf9gizhxL_GuysdqdCxUxKL3iy7VH-XL0FE8OnSDd6XG4lFeT-8VuVBxQHXq_JnZaYYw/s320/Green+water.jpg" border="0" /></a>More Falls
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<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWJLCE4vg-WCXzXgWcKWs1Z-AIUOOm68oc5sZd0xMT-Z7K7nMln0utkO-5-tpoFvu5a-hAlLOpNNiGQINi6cN6bzXH_xaDmAAk7qDq_8emJ44hgp7NHNF8YKnMn1wEVAyUq63zVO1vMQw/s1600-h/emily+pass+lexie.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317013174289832514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWJLCE4vg-WCXzXgWcKWs1Z-AIUOOm68oc5sZd0xMT-Z7K7nMln0utkO-5-tpoFvu5a-hAlLOpNNiGQINi6cN6bzXH_xaDmAAk7qDq_8emJ44hgp7NHNF8YKnMn1wEVAyUq63zVO1vMQw/s320/emily+pass+lexie.jpg" border="0" /></a> Lake McKenzie and Emily Pass
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<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQa0C6FLjZQ9e8xzRhsPudZFRdDEKwqhTJaxz27ZVAHTYOFTYRQw22GewvimXtlcpexZ_fxwcpHdZGjCRzAQcre681_oA9ujh4KfzuoTToHB3LjDArtY4xRCiFyP8LDhd8RqzDr87-kG0/s1600-h/cloud+lake.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317010772367899650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 202px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQa0C6FLjZQ9e8xzRhsPudZFRdDEKwqhTJaxz27ZVAHTYOFTYRQw22GewvimXtlcpexZ_fxwcpHdZGjCRzAQcre681_oA9ujh4KfzuoTToHB3LjDArtY4xRCiFyP8LDhd8RqzDr87-kG0/s320/cloud+lake.jpg" border="0" /></a> Lake in the Mountains
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<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsQQj2F7HyF1iszepKWNEONd6WlskM3Mwdj6-Im3iQbRqBCEaxEzugwyAozXe38_tVkpjYTgjUJv8k7Tu1NYUjvYB-7sg3JSaw1CxxeLHzdEo9ZQ_S1zs5IGsURmQgO9bhevkL5VMoX-k/s1600-h/Walking+to+Saddle.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317010762890676514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsQQj2F7HyF1iszepKWNEONd6WlskM3Mwdj6-Im3iQbRqBCEaxEzugwyAozXe38_tVkpjYTgjUJv8k7Tu1NYUjvYB-7sg3JSaw1CxxeLHzdEo9ZQ_S1zs5IGsURmQgO9bhevkL5VMoX-k/s320/Walking+to+Saddle.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<br />River Valley
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<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL2LXMdooqcpPpHdrVYNbZvUElRPzX9vIEP6hpRFQHqSeX4YNK0IuEMN_84hjZma8DIy2YPt8mb-PTTRtqlI0OrlLMNHHCvg_evnDhJ7_ORQrgPXwDQvHXL-Uap2KBVfks974O0dtw3tg/s1600-h/Valley.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317010750865218338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL2LXMdooqcpPpHdrVYNbZvUElRPzX9vIEP6hpRFQHqSeX4YNK0IuEMN_84hjZma8DIy2YPt8mb-PTTRtqlI0OrlLMNHHCvg_evnDhJ7_ORQrgPXwDQvHXL-Uap2KBVfks974O0dtw3tg/s320/Valley.jpg" border="0" /></a> More of the Valley
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<br /></div>Kiwi Lexiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15624259744301905837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2456829066092852579.post-33492492094856286652009-01-31T12:43:00.005+13:002009-01-31T13:38:58.533+13:00OZ and New Zealand trip with MomHey everybody!! It's definitely been awhile since my last blog as I was home for 3 weeks over Christmas and then my mom just came down for her first trip since I've been here and she stayed for about 2.5 weeks.<br /><br />Christmas at home was great as I was able to see my new nephew Austin for the first time as he was born in October and this was my first time home since then. It was also great to have that time at home to be with friends and family.<br /><br />But more on the "Down Under" trip. I met Mom in Cairns, Australia on January 15th. We were up there to see the Great Barrier Reef and I have a great picture of an enormous fish I saw while snorkeling up there. I'd love to go back there as I was only able to snorkel the one day and there was so much to see! I need to get my diving license!! <br /><br />The following day we visited an aboriginal cultural center and a rainforest up near Carins. Threw and bought a boomerang even! :)<br /><br />The following day we left for Syndey where we spent our first night dining at the Skytower Restaurant downtown Sydney. The next day was filled with a tour of the Sydney Opera house and then lunch on the harbour and lots of shopping! Mom and I were lucky that night as they have an "open air cinema" with recently released movies so we sat ouside on the harbour with th opera house and the sydney harbour bridge in the background as a screen rose and we watched a movie! It was really cool! The next morning mom and I woke up and went to the Taronga Syndey Zoo to see koalas, kangaroos, and tasmanian devils as well as other animals from all over the world. That night we had a harbour cruise with dinner and then a performance at the Syndey Opera House.<br /><br />Then, we flew to Queenstown, New Zealand (mom's favorite). The first night we ate dinner at a fanstastic restaurant overlooking the city that can only be reached by Gondola, or possibly by goat or sheep! The next morning we boarded a bus and drove over to Milford Sound which is quite possibly one of the most beautiful sights in the world. The next day mom and I decided to take advantage of being in the adventure capital of the world as we did some white water rafting down grade 4 and 5 rapids! Mom LOVED it! Possibly the best part of her trip I think! We finished up that day with shopping and eating! <br /><br />And last stop Christchurch but not before crossing the country by bus and stopping at Mt. Cook. In Christchurch we did a little shopping, visited the Antarctic Centre and also took a wildlife harbour cruise where we were able to see Hector Dolphin's (the world's smallest dolphin) and small blue penguins swimming in the water! It was really cool. We found out at the Antarctic Centre that 75% of the world's population flies to Antartica from Christchurch, NZ and there was even a US plane sitting outside.<br /><br />Finally, mom came back to Dunedin with me to see where I live and what I'm up to. We did a horseback riding trip on the beach one day and saw a yellow eyed penguin standing on the beach alone. We also went out to the Albatross Colony and to some of the beautiful beaches here in Dunedin. <br /><br />Well that pretty much covers the past 2 weeks. We had a great time and hopefully you enjoy some of the pictures from the trip. Not sure about my next adventure as of yet but am planning another "Great Walk" trip in May and possibly one before then.<br /><br />I hope everyone is well!<br /><br />love,<br />lexie<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297246022970971186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 212px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCsYzHfhedEOi2NnF9xOzGqt0Xq6UG4rtmvICCqPO89JnSqFfFcFk0MHwsm7CC7Yd6pbpawVGqybUmS4nk6RA3mwYU9Jfh7K3ZuTeNkpHNTs0jNAjzhwZfU1GaX3xfE4N0DKDRnvIzkBM/s320/bigfish2.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div align="center"> BIG FISH! GREAT BARRIER REEF!<br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg33uUGM_eCTTzF9HWhXlTw1N2NGViSg2rCwt4iY8NgrxlSi5ftovBfR-BtNIbWKOaHjOCgV5aKnvWxxY8LJ27WORwd7lP3dzc1G-G27DN4Rn-SXqlHXacSnRB3SIZYDgny2R52EyV0JSc/s1600-h/wallaby+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297248966769808082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg33uUGM_eCTTzF9HWhXlTw1N2NGViSg2rCwt4iY8NgrxlSi5ftovBfR-BtNIbWKOaHjOCgV5aKnvWxxY8LJ27WORwd7lP3dzc1G-G27DN4Rn-SXqlHXacSnRB3SIZYDgny2R52EyV0JSc/s320/wallaby+2.jpg" border="0" /></a> WALLABY!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjte8rn6VMyKYCPVwE4F9GgQFepWIeL7XICvOQLtSinqKkMff5Vsyh6PRMiOTbFLjGEm7JKGosctjj0DLkA2EetLYysEFLBGHN3YwIb_zQ2KwmYoZ2rMS-9-4NgykTGmtgh9hAvL62p-vw/s1600-h/sydney+skyline+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297248960912233490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjte8rn6VMyKYCPVwE4F9GgQFepWIeL7XICvOQLtSinqKkMff5Vsyh6PRMiOTbFLjGEm7JKGosctjj0DLkA2EetLYysEFLBGHN3YwIb_zQ2KwmYoZ2rMS-9-4NgykTGmtgh9hAvL62p-vw/s320/sydney+skyline+2.jpg" border="0" /></a> SYDNEY SKYLINE!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzcFWBn5MpiFKwxxUsTSsdRZj6oLnPAzTq6Xr8R8bFMfiiuHO8_t25yH8GiaPH8SlLKyAeMYvtcpBE5ehvvEX0CDWgzRrRYNOuDyV1qcK0GTMVFD-zP05BADr5-by3dV6LDlq59v_jIA8/s1600-h/sydney+movie+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297248961810647922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzcFWBn5MpiFKwxxUsTSsdRZj6oLnPAzTq6Xr8R8bFMfiiuHO8_t25yH8GiaPH8SlLKyAeMYvtcpBE5ehvvEX0CDWgzRrRYNOuDyV1qcK0GTMVFD-zP05BADr5-by3dV6LDlq59v_jIA8/s320/sydney+movie+2.jpg" border="0" /></a> SYDNEY OPEN AIR CINEMA!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj86U8wB_hWrJWnM5yWDQKlSSifNR5JkfkshO-RBdFRYjSnjmWAa1DbpE13O6vHOuLJthAHfIG09aTff6GFTXwfYrhtAZPnXTnycCGidrHHd5kJnPbbFt6-nRlUIaDSSIkZv2NC1NErgoc/s1600-h/skytower+dinner+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297248953408907634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj86U8wB_hWrJWnM5yWDQKlSSifNR5JkfkshO-RBdFRYjSnjmWAa1DbpE13O6vHOuLJthAHfIG09aTff6GFTXwfYrhtAZPnXTnycCGidrHHd5kJnPbbFt6-nRlUIaDSSIkZv2NC1NErgoc/s320/skytower+dinner+2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />SYDNEY SKYTOWER RESTAURANT<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMBUb-5tIQ1g3og61rqksA46krVsKBrRbr7DfAEPknx3LZ4zd1zxgJWpwOUxvuXqt2-ERWPIMz2cYGaN2h1ARL0680_rXpx_bD-8mxlXXUGt15E2oVCJsHKZlcwCn7dk8DVtp5eeyDN2c/s1600-h/opera+house+bridge+sunset.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297247808191780418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMBUb-5tIQ1g3og61rqksA46krVsKBrRbr7DfAEPknx3LZ4zd1zxgJWpwOUxvuXqt2-ERWPIMz2cYGaN2h1ARL0680_rXpx_bD-8mxlXXUGt15E2oVCJsHKZlcwCn7dk8DVtp5eeyDN2c/s320/opera+house+bridge+sunset.jpg" border="0" /></a>OPERA HOUSE AND HARBOUR BRIDGE - SYDNEY<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixmc-ei8SbDcOUzr2yUUwN2SzTsxgqvW4ljHiKPfiituoBe2UDUWDYRJDJD6mpAv_4glMI3kbho7o_3mEwQneNHgc9DR4pDJNHTzWyLb5HG17P4eiDokGR1khoKg1B3kvyV7uGjZpJg98/s1600-h/opera+house+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297247802024180418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixmc-ei8SbDcOUzr2yUUwN2SzTsxgqvW4ljHiKPfiituoBe2UDUWDYRJDJD6mpAv_4glMI3kbho7o_3mEwQneNHgc9DR4pDJNHTzWyLb5HG17P4eiDokGR1khoKg1B3kvyV7uGjZpJg98/s320/opera+house+2.jpg" border="0" /></a> OPERA HOUSE<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBsDDdv7bsXnF7PxvUuIoV0Oqp3jtScwayp1U0MNap4_7QFRRxgHCSDtl8LVvCFduy8Pg8UXF3Nfs4o1FuNq50HsadLlx-llXMS65ZUVJ1MgQqmaZ56V2GHOTA23kY7W2jrlsO7fHvTZk/s1600-h/mom+and+lexie+sydney+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297247800407794386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBsDDdv7bsXnF7PxvUuIoV0Oqp3jtScwayp1U0MNap4_7QFRRxgHCSDtl8LVvCFduy8Pg8UXF3Nfs4o1FuNq50HsadLlx-llXMS65ZUVJ1MgQqmaZ56V2GHOTA23kY7W2jrlsO7fHvTZk/s320/mom+and+lexie+sydney+2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUqPbGe8eoKSqSM66doS4YTaFarOf1KnFWh9ah1883DE7EGH4fE1-jEGUd9sx-9hvQjp_RNayPI4bpCUxC-oQdTLnkuvi6s7B1vZe-_39wYrXzOVMn_fa2OzKFBCaVa7_U5Yktaak_shA/s1600-h/mom+and+lexie+dinner+cruise+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297247799284842194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUqPbGe8eoKSqSM66doS4YTaFarOf1KnFWh9ah1883DE7EGH4fE1-jEGUd9sx-9hvQjp_RNayPI4bpCUxC-oQdTLnkuvi6s7B1vZe-_39wYrXzOVMn_fa2OzKFBCaVa7_U5Yktaak_shA/s320/mom+and+lexie+dinner+cruise+2.jpg" border="0" /></a> SYDNEY HARBOUR CRUISE DINNER<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297246034118274034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSadu4VyjRwRy4KWC14U4IgfQ4xj_WQPtImWckG9_S6g03HTFcLR0Cp3rnd_C07RIdjI9QVMkocrbe0YmHwhBo79qP7rt5lB3GH2u1lOulJrYYmZw4-FG3QKY3rDii-fXICjWW8TTfaqo/s320/harbour+bridge+2.jpg" border="0" />SYDNEY HARBOUR BRIDGE</div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297246026789115250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcN3hXtIhNSs4Hb-2rfLG1qmXOhsZK3eK9p3iUwKk-5kEOG4YA_aQFyzrk6A4ogW7n39hVYS_A25wv9o4tqvcehbAcyoSW6OUrlWcgOzEs5I7NBaXOWYxQ0lGYH_mF2un5qDOZb_xw3Ws/s320/chillin+koala+2.jpg" border="0" />LAZY KOALA!</div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDXbEi6Vr-bASiCCWskrXNVyOYr66xYgTre6FAJL45TSHVDKg-6dPeLHLZ_ew55DjlgQ0YtYpnFB6vlORUvGWmw_lkAJxe7Wmb2S9vcSBpUtyEI9YeFIrKrk4hfOCAZdByku4ip4Pfy-4/s1600-h/milford+trip+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297247795501485282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDXbEi6Vr-bASiCCWskrXNVyOYr66xYgTre6FAJL45TSHVDKg-6dPeLHLZ_ew55DjlgQ0YtYpnFB6vlORUvGWmw_lkAJxe7Wmb2S9vcSBpUtyEI9YeFIrKrk4hfOCAZdByku4ip4Pfy-4/s320/milford+trip+2.jpg" border="0" /></a> MILFORD SOUND<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1KeBF8v_yBa3Iiuj2FqhbNFsQxFDeLTexqS1JtjS6JpTQCgcn5-0qGgROtV8dNecKMgqPMYeMKXHL2-0d8GM2UYJWZy6W8vuF4U9KMMpsUv6Lae3H63Nt1VIKHpkmD30hum6Ltx8ZwQI/s1600-h/horses+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297246033937238706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1KeBF8v_yBa3Iiuj2FqhbNFsQxFDeLTexqS1JtjS6JpTQCgcn5-0qGgROtV8dNecKMgqPMYeMKXHL2-0d8GM2UYJWZy6W8vuF4U9KMMpsUv6Lae3H63Nt1VIKHpkmD30hum6Ltx8ZwQI/s320/horses+2.jpg" border="0" /></a> HORSEBACK RIDING in DUNEDIN<br /><div><div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297248969899605570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-fsPQJr7bSmpyDoviyzyaTaGVKAFCm7PVo2sNqHxDrTVBeYKsqPco5tyBm9NAh8r6FYQDkkRt6sE6gAsPoA2P5QCSHR3jUO7lhXnoJs8VtFR4MosBNkJPrLBxy3SnkHMj1-7ak9y1_fo/s320/aramoana+beach+2.jpg" border="0" /><br />ARAMOANA BEACH - DUNEDIN<br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Kiwi Lexiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15624259744301905837noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2456829066092852579.post-27249895987183176302008-12-02T21:53:00.006+13:002008-12-02T22:20:30.304+13:00Glacier Sea Kayaking - Mt. CookWell it was another weekend away and this time it took place in the west-central part of the Southern Island of New Zealand at Mt. Cook National Park. Mt. Cook is part of the Southern Alps and is the highest point in New Zealand standing just over 12,300 feet. Since they don't do Thanksgiving here and Turkey costs over $100 for a decent sized bird, some friends of mine and I decided to take a post "Thanksgiving holiday" to do some hiking and kayaking! This was our treat to ourselves!<br /><br />Mt. Cook features gorgeous mountain ranges and there are over 70 named glaciers in this park. It's the neatest thing about New Zealand is one day you are walking on ice and in just a few hours you could be on a beach somewhere or in a rainforest climate! It's surreal!<br /><br />Saturday we took a 4 hour hike out to one of the glacier lakes and later a small trip to another glacier lake where we were able to see several icebergs floating around having broken off from the main glacier. We were able to actually take kayaks into the water on one of these glacier lakes and were able to get within about 150 meters of the face of the glacier. It really is very active and you could hear and see rock falling off the glacier and small bits of ice coming up from under the water.<br /><br />I'm attaching a few pictures from the weekend!<br />Hope you enjoy.<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275118675130863266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLcznFFlsmf3OP3DbJoivgGSMkj3CoT8XcDP-5nhEJU6rWUkK0-8ik7LgSFvAIoKNC42UXJo6unSM6CYqFQO1ZJ4rUMu7Q92BXdh_sPtQWZVJgBKAnkB81REeYp1vsks9zy1J94UqsCik/s320/glacier+face+1+copy.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-mfOjWCTBhpBuKYGa4_uS8OcOsL5Vj4nECiECLKGSa9kBQQ25BgaLx9cyD2f64RyiOtiJ2vBhPRh2sVqkwStJY8aWzXF4Cq1yABK1wkZcJa_NIfF72LczEFcU0lBqVG2k746glYXeaIA/s1600-h/Big+Berg+copy.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275118674076642002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-mfOjWCTBhpBuKYGa4_uS8OcOsL5Vj4nECiECLKGSa9kBQQ25BgaLx9cyD2f64RyiOtiJ2vBhPRh2sVqkwStJY8aWzXF4Cq1yABK1wkZcJa_NIfF72LczEFcU0lBqVG2k746glYXeaIA/s320/Big+Berg+copy.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUxDRfBekCN-w_0Z8YnchR-h5WUsk5S3hv0BPUutq1bD44KtyUY5qQk16Z0Xk7PuuKWMOrFUXBUrachhk98PmGUZvbqxqlvPzno4w4gOTCAga-fFAW2Bd7mdlE4S5KTXqY-2S3YF0iFIc/s1600-h/Icebergs+copy.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275118662774898626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUxDRfBekCN-w_0Z8YnchR-h5WUsk5S3hv0BPUutq1bD44KtyUY5qQk16Z0Xk7PuuKWMOrFUXBUrachhk98PmGUZvbqxqlvPzno4w4gOTCAga-fFAW2Bd7mdlE4S5KTXqY-2S3YF0iFIc/s320/Icebergs+copy.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdnaDVYTGTQNmja8cDNi3H6TQKF2rIZKdI0hQPpnPoso9c-YmEW1WGecOH_2vXTL2VCntRsxs6p8_Q669Yx6s777R4wuJPAjqfZDDYstYWNMwX9lVs7pKL7TkFf12TAdNUwmcv5Rl9nWQ/s1600-h/Mt+Cook+River+Bed+copy.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275118659629264098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdnaDVYTGTQNmja8cDNi3H6TQKF2rIZKdI0hQPpnPoso9c-YmEW1WGecOH_2vXTL2VCntRsxs6p8_Q669Yx6s777R4wuJPAjqfZDDYstYWNMwX9lVs7pKL7TkFf12TAdNUwmcv5Rl9nWQ/s320/Mt+Cook+River+Bed+copy.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Kiwi Lexiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15624259744301905837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2456829066092852579.post-76329681145458790342008-10-28T18:17:00.009+13:002008-10-28T20:18:32.085+13:00Kepler Track Y'all!!Just to be clear, this is me getting my PhD! :)<br /><br /><br /><br />So I was off to the Kepler Track this weekend! Another one of New Zealand's "Great Walks" which basically consists of unbelievable views and several days of hiking or "tramping" as it is known throughout New Zealand.<br /><br /><br />The Kepler Track is a 69 km or about 43 mile circular path that walks through part of the Fiordland National Park in the South West of the South Island of New Zealand.<br /><br /><br />Once again listed as an "easy" tramping track, I want to murder the guy or girl who rates these things because I walked 43 MILES in 4 days and up and down 1500 meters or nearly 4000 FEET!! It was NOT easy! :) I thought the bones in my feet nearly broken and by the time we reached the car, almost every muscle in my lower body collapsed!<br /><br /><br />Basically, the entire area was carved by glaciers from the ice age carving through the mountains and forming the lakes and valleys. Lots of ferns and beech forest cover the area and then there is the Alpine section where you traverse across the top of the mountain for some amazing views. You'll see!<br /><br /><br />So Day 1 took us about 4.5 hours to complete. You start by walking along Lake Te Anau through mountain and forest beech and then you CLIMB for 2 hours passing through limestone and eventually climb out of the tree line and hike to Luxmore Hut for the evening. It was starting to get windy that day so by the time we reached the hut, in another 2 hours we were sitting amidst a snow storm! Glad we made it to the hut early and actually the snow made for AMAZING views the following day!<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262082643075325714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTEcrTAUm3cEH_4SVCEkuNbDhAkxpIgMWXHYnyXiB2VO_YDNi4vj0olFqbByvTexyBpzT_gpyN3uQjHdleujYAgzsVxnN9pWNCSvZrbhqUpq3nwjEjAqJ52ccln4lTeja9BmvbwXN_TY0/s320/luxmore+track+2.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><div align="center">Walking out of the tree line</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262082650537577858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicAHp8Y8IwniQP7e04P3r6UIITPfOM18IBoocG7_Pi0T1eaGG4VaBHFt692XAo7GJriPP9lAa_shDiMh3DTVYdO1tN6FaCKduylqe3qHr8S96oxmnn_0COersN69M530GxwDK35detfBM/s320/luxmore+tree+mountain.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262082631484913106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ODJCobyqbxyVt1B3tffuxaQU7Q4-VZr__3REgOII1u5UzBvwkH1y1FOOEjgrE88CEStxtrMXzS2aAV-6P79heR9qdDorkA9ZDrnrtEUjWS1Dp_7k0AHx1VnKaPBkIdD13b-5K8XPf_k/s320/Luxmore+Track.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><div align="center">Track to Luxmore Hut</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262078813132152786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpoEKx8VrnIfLEjj9jSICBnxdAIO9SYMmay4jyxRyuSPoTvWgvs1IkvGC-Pw8qdnY6h0AaveHYeL9gzCZsNjJra4M_cCVhLWieiuUHfLjLw-afQiYJZHuj7REW2fRsTKF_-yqNJO05rOw/s320/lex+luxmore+track.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262091941231198754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQXAkTn4QBNNYe-sLDPKSHaw0lri3E0ywV7YSGaZp0fWOL_Cu9GkbCut8vkBSJK7SqG24S0iZsarB94CgGC1Rr6q_9MHxxO7m_WVikTuIVOpFD6gCSLV1pKiLlH7t_EuTNOVrIbEzjw8k/s320/view+from+luxmore+track.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><div align="center">River through Mountains</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262082627007180466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdVFzgzkzUQfhhUpgBAFTYSV_gewPsBzCBShtkPlzHq6VY0cHdjaXJ-8OtMYL8rCpVcSqzTpCPfSeClmDvM-1tDUkGnj5E8ynnHRJzyKrIgroSCkB3D8-UszEhvzq-fSDeP4i8Y3e2mjw/s320/luxmore+hut.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><div align="center">Luxmore Hut (not a bad location!)</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262078824756497138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieJdCtcaEh_1_kRSkoHWEQn3EDiqVkL5TVfpnrR8iziZf1EaWNf7Il5TJg_qOd47SsnnRRuF0RkU2csavhSLfPHJCU0LtBop8Bq-Asefz8h5z6TRaWLbkl9z9bL2iZGvUez02pRyzGZ3Y/s320/lex+view.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><div align="center">Headlamp heading to the caves!<br /></div><br />On Day 2 we hiked from the Luxmore Hut to the Iris Burn Hut but not before climbing to the peak of Mt. Luxmore. We then followed the Forest Burn Saddle and ridge system for about 2 hours before then descending again to the Iris Burn shelter.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262090090074515810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtFKknjmeUwQ520FI4fhbQs7vLNiezxLcXu1Y2Qzpr8gi3ad345OwFRxOnsq8R414E6byy8VqzK5pdqtcU7Av0BlKW_l3TV_9ABJaarGnWfY8fLnQEs8N6BekI-IrN-DdwTMmCJ7ijtvY/s320/snow+luxmore+hut.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><div align="center">Luxmore Hut Morning After!</div><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262091927414195842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidpSiZSf8Yjm9ub8GWS0NJI-nUqEx0unAyWuV7ekiyzaPp6eWYqrqk4GeZ-A7p10Da0r9GcjfTjnxOeE5hzcdfA8g4bcAhan5AsV_VUweGTv-rw-aPvTat0g2f3Spn103chj5EsM0THkw/s320/snow+mountains+day+2.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><div align="center">WOW!!</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262090086223572290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguow09V46URSZyjvCnLnn1X2FN4FqInUd7rRDbAos19wFdchvRBYCd1xxb5gaK48Ha7lz6rx45Ymxzq2hfjsG3ygcGRoIkubiSMS_ruix0g7zULzuRhvc4t80TItMQ5miCF7xqnACwOjg/s320/snow+lake+day+2.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">Te Anau Lake</div><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262087012093103426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKjWd8hziZUzJz0sA1L7F3GLvz8NIjpdPC24fRK3oTwN4019gpasmyo8XOSvAd5I70q377k8pQQHhxHVVGZQx85EM9fzPzm6FBSlTkhUfJinOBETjlXrbobgLAI1LfaJetA0-3Hv8CiME/s320/mountains+track+day+2.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><div align="center">Day 2 Track through Luxmore Mountain</div><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262087002818765874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFZjpZqqd652_caLxrDgEBcGL6xeBhD_ETfe4GIxLMcvRgG5997l_czSQwGAAjsqhrFgc29o93l5M7hda6mUMerp_sXSN1MpWsIEZ_YBQhRtBhzxbg4gKcscdwMKXv74qa_PTHeDWVTfc/s320/mountains+day+2.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262082623545668274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkfpwmR6ErR_Szm74VKv6_aM7_jWtFkpmXTYaNTxo7VEhKqOhDKqNf3Y1Myl3H4NeTWgdD26bNOJB3laE2YeKF4dtvVVEaSg_J39tftdEIc07_epdGYIiYok94NBiM0pQXsQbUnMwyljI/s320/lexie+luxmore+point.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><div align="center">Summit of Mount Luxmore</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262090054496588994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSNVbfKzbes5jReEe76o_h86E65t4_czT3t2G6jGrPhH5JjUSI4XP9LCkl-LHQWd0YS4lD1RzdOfWwss99IkCk5iQsUDAzmUnCbZNvU7yoagbKFAi8Rvvrt0Mvm6ItqzzNjmgwxNok8Ts/s320/ridge+track+day+2.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><div align="center">Alpine Ridge Trail!</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262078798944848466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZzPDZbWZTeP1keGIwNfhtpRjrZGkuCT4nY1sqJ3l7a8p4Ph16zlQogyTic07B9PTkKlHOoCYd8mOgFEQc_lFCD-Nay_PFBMxKVqLk8fN6091szH5XSRF8onDSVamQxeLABPi7bKuvof4/s320/iris+burn+hut.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><div align="center">Iris Burn Hut</div><br /><div align="left"><br />Day 3 we hiked out of the Iris Burn Hut through the forest, pass a gorge and alongside a river before reaching our 3rd Hut, Moturau Hut, which sat lakeside to Lake Manapouri with yet more great views. </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262090074927484434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjVF97QRIjMYrN7fOXtGYB6nnRM52gGwjk-T7CZOEGPA7cbFuPp8E6bslTz2vuAL3ysgtuc-c2gAYiMGTFbzCja1yrv2sB9On8LBqUlA7doYBRCDhNRe2P5Wg4M_7oBpWz96vPAy0bevg/s320/rock+river+day+3.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><div align="center">River Fun!</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262078804075436786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVNln-42VIsz-An0wSLReCsZqAaWszSY54AWNr3ahigiyLcMEn2P96C8Oic-Qkti6Jy7UtDNWI8GvwXeN7Su8YscbRVnVi6f_a4PNjaFjyQKJ4WYYVTy1cnaol1Wr573zYi9bTEbeKUtQ/s320/land+slide+day+3.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><div align="center">The Great Slip (1984) - Rainfall collapsed the mountain and formed this valley</div><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262090061851315858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJglv2anPfQrYSAxVJ5SIDsmtSniGZxX-FMZGcrqA2SGhMQUHKtYwbdZryU-TNQVj6tUaTfsP5M5xSD9yniFotYIBfMG0nhifqSGKywBtF8HX1oH7iqcXec1_j-Fc8A3WqFt8Ge5irLW8/s320/river+mountains+day+3.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262087022965425698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR-MOHlyT6k2xU15UN5d-oml2CkLPT9yz6of-zS5T6LveFBdqg_V04Y-J_oeq8XYUw-Q7sjHoIv3EqDwv4nQJuuBu2lZOtFmvIZ801vgRADBbm5sHLRzqQo96eM5PbkFQEDoZGHu9OUGE/s320/mouth+of+river+lake+manapouri.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><div align="center">River opening to Lake Manapouri</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262087003953858818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfZkHvT5QQVRHRiArqHxyF-ATP8s7_B5l48CKYLbY9KkO1lY7tdxu9GNoTm3Ol57qeyi8B83vT904vzmv7Fj014caV7QAwb9kd4uW7uGr5LrV3gQlbmKCBTOQcCbJg58kiuCecvfW6G1o/s320/motoroa+hut.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><div align="center">Moturau Hut<br /></div><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262078810482867778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh26cqBhFl5M2SkMr4Jmi1fvHS94aTnyTa5vxYneRWXCgEIhgqoeIMSuK0bpcWnJjRlssLDiHG8BzOMm4Kz1ahILRXULVneoehKJl8d06rnR8uIMaeDibkhKp1rtbR7F08RZ4JsVZxuj9U/s320/lex+lake+manapouri.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><div align="center">Enjoying my PhD on Lake Manapouri! </div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262091932854949522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0-lF6LxtQhFGv020dG9pfKPQwceiyMREzghxmF10tRE9JQHoIRBkkaLfQhmPoW6wG4Yqjlh8PBaCM6O-gfY8_Vedq8Sa1tZO2bX4NSXDGtN-KDWAUzNuOmCZqg_uK0x9VbJwweh3788Y/s320/sunset+lake+manapouri.jpg" border="0" />Lake Manapouri Sunset</div><br /><div align="left"><br />Day 4 ended by walking through beech forest and wetland to Rainbow Reach and finally out to the carpark (parking lot) :)</div><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262087033573791650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh50Z7ex2jONpsOvX9q6EjgDtn92LCvE9M0QKuxfZS8Wowm0OTyHobRVxhdF2ygjS3jKw9dGS2OvxIlKFDnUKMyHsFvf4GcDu3MNzN2qUEnQeFbQzNkc22w5KoMm0tcDBckDr1ja0IRQ9M/s320/rainbow+reach.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><div align="center">Rainbow Reach</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="left"></div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Kiwi Lexiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15624259744301905837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2456829066092852579.post-28233801752472268942008-09-01T19:01:00.011+12:002008-09-01T20:01:36.423+12:00Rakiura Track Stewart Island, New ZealandGOOD GRIEF MY LEGS HURT!!<br /><br />So this past weekend was one of the highlights of New Zealand thus far. 3 of us decided to "tramp" (or hike as we call it) the Rakiura track located on Stewart Island, New Zealand.<br /><br />Stewart Island is a small island just 30 km south of the South Island of New Zealand, across the Fouveaux Strait. Home to only about 300 permanent residents it is an isolated island with one of the most beautiful national forests in the world.<br /><br />The Rakiura National Park was opened in 2002. The Rakiura Track is a 36 km circuit which takes 3 days to hike. The Rakiura track has been named one of New Zealand's "Great Walks" which basically means it is known as one of the premier hiking trails with better hut systems than some of the others.<br /><br />We were blessed all weekend with spectacular weather!! Absolutely ZERO rain which is almost unheard of on Stewart Island. Day 1 walked near the shoreline with several views of spectacular beaches followed by a day in the Bush on our way to our 2nd Hut. Day 3 continued through Bush and back to our starting point!<br /><br />This hike is labeled as an "easy" hike suitable for anyone with a moderate level of fitness. I am not in Olympic condition by any means, but one would think I maintain at least a moderate level of fitness and I could barely walk at the end of day 3!!<br /><br />Once we finished our hike, we made a quick side trip over to Ulva Island which has become a New Zealand bird sanctuary for many rare and endangered bird and plant species.<br /><br />I hope you enjoy the pictures, in some of them i may look extremely tired and DIRTY after 3 days without a shower! My pack weighed about 25 lbs to start loaded with noodles and granola and trail mix and of course, SNICKERS!! I mean seriously...they have nuts!! Protein!<br /><br />Time to rest the legs a bit before the next adventure and should probably work on that PhD thing as well!<br /><br />Cheers!<br />lexie<br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240950386825310722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6J8ryceAPFc4iFNEeTchk06fBfz4m7cW36aJqW-zPF0G-UZPb2twbAhyphenhyphenMbFEfwcxtGNern8KnGOofr5Q__TUGLKLctOemp6ycIvPfzwryZEHIBxnsmWk1Fr64EUYw4NMzoZcyGtnMPVk/s320/stewart+island+map.jpg" border="0" /></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240950390578086322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIt_7Kl1qz4Wd65nEvMBcFG9mNlJd1po7tLhh3nK3ixtQBendEWTuc9YVFy9AmYzC_y8AccWlJqKmCDh_h7f1zov4bEP9ai9MRAtLPQx7en5aSIwhZruWALQ085BBmPd7Qosdh1R9PWmQ/s320/Stewart+and+Ulva+Island+015.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center">Patterson Inlet - Starting Point!!</p><p> </p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240950392644657314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwfnLFnHu6gBoTXNj9FRqKS9LmnuC4FHlHr6gUbP8mQefK6WfMdPOe9u2INGdIuIBeFP2l63MbAiKGFno_IXcJw-qZVkVe8qB7khDnG4fxnuQ8veNj6OUByypNmcidw_hVSfBjfe-YB_E/s320/Stewart+and+Ulva+Island+029.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center">Rakiura National Park</p><p> </p><p> </p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240955882621676482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBJtJGvNG2i_eCcck3qddv6xUKEN0-y6EF7C7w_jkv2Y7Gw96MMRoeRarZ1Y5yBJ060u2BC587LVbLURMXlfYYk7FkRUoGqQu37te90BP6AhjlbnK7gcsGvIzbGriXB7vM7kWijdy00t0/s320/Stewart+and+Ulva+Island+039.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center">Hiking Day 1!</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240955722907743010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ea8l_Lh4GukNpz-dvhsZRzxVi_K9we3QSjG3CUMZngOmHYqXZQmNnUR4UhWCCUNOW85YqxXOjuMLjQXs0r-hjOYQxtQr9AswM5E1TQh38kJccGEAVQim1iLcTCq-VtzLI448oiawxQc/s320/Stewart+and+Ulva+Island+045.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center">Lexie and Emily stop for a picture Day 1!</p><p> </p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240950396864448914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5kol5fqn-QvtUfiw0NbojDYcQaqK913YXVzNhM6NHVw_fJq6R0KzpnOix2vSADnnshjnwfaiwLzFuKIo8vF2wlWHwgGyQKpTRVheiQ2tkgYXs0n2XtFTgqFLsJKoJzmpfIJTOyw3smhQ/s320/Stewart+and+Ulva+Island+035.JPG" border="0" /></p><p> </p><p> </p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240956072815855330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Gb3VGLWSjQ2bW7N5lSZlQuZ6YxwFgjy73dkwAA4WHHilVEj733y93s8e6kuWQfzpLIk7ld5XVYUPjm08RgTWoRqYx9Edr3wc5xqEe8dy5rtLfoTHfLzclzVpAmK59p8WIZgiYAZJxuQ/s320/Stewart+and+Ulva+Island+121.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center">YAY!! Hut #1 - Time for a rest! - Port William Hut</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHbY65RzKHtRbqVSqNgOx9FljZ132E-_tm8g-b7DYn37T13FTIUYAjaDvbfTfzFgFTnhibAJp556QNK1zNskdsBeKAjm7fBa9TArnUb24VHkj15oDcLb2hR1inMvx9AiNYogw_zKGt0Dc/s1600-h/Stewart+and+Ulva+Island+136.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240957002609227442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHbY65RzKHtRbqVSqNgOx9FljZ132E-_tm8g-b7DYn37T13FTIUYAjaDvbfTfzFgFTnhibAJp556QNK1zNskdsBeKAjm7fBa9TArnUb24VHkj15oDcLb2hR1inMvx9AiNYogw_zKGt0Dc/s320/Stewart+and+Ulva+Island+136.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center">Crazy hiking trail Day #2</p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-TSlKG3gP6VcTJ-2gqPOPyXGjZp_tCk6erRnTfzzQT_Kyz70UWo9201DFebYxJARllWBrf8m4ZMdkeyinP-h65H0K091YVOj4oNaJ8xSwRwbZtSYu-8M_SMUGyJ742bgTlYBjf1aQISg/s1600-h/Stewart+and+Ulva+Island+157.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240957010714581362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-TSlKG3gP6VcTJ-2gqPOPyXGjZp_tCk6erRnTfzzQT_Kyz70UWo9201DFebYxJARllWBrf8m4ZMdkeyinP-h65H0K091YVOj4oNaJ8xSwRwbZtSYu-8M_SMUGyJ742bgTlYBjf1aQISg/s320/Stewart+and+Ulva+Island+157.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center"></a>Crazy Swing Bridge - made of fence!<br /><br /></p><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240952608757437778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg60GGKVetNOly8f0hzzy20U3p-fB-TbE6CM56HWKrtyJLKsWjI9pzAK0rXFPJWfTCo_FGkCpYgfysAI2THbbJFfMwpUri_hqgm7NDGxKQyHRsuAeBkaSfH6uDmkWKgADpDfAJuyU-JEew/s320/Stewart+and+Ulva+Island+194.JPG" border="0" /> </div><div align="center">Thank Goodness!! Hut #2 - My legs are dying!<br /><br /></div><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240952612340390866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQtp9kN6Swxqfb0dpGgPmYwaoltWPbmHlOFPsMqX6Gr3MBX_goMHD2uyGP6TTIsQg1zz00QBhaGEUPXdz9_SfwKxTR5YHiUX7d-t2i0paWMfKae7757nndYo4deoYo7Kv70iZQt7icYCQ/s320/Stewart+and+Ulva+Island+195.JPG" border="0" /> </p><p align="center">View from Hut 2 - North Arm Hut<br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXUZRJardn3KPVxmGAd4D7uTI9WYph0HD4dMtzkIL_RedUR8tQcIdHT_WeOzGMdDqIMd85-QxX84ce8DZkYnU3KyyoMPmMtN80-4xeGiT1JvS0g62sL-FxBj2Xvzg_Z5g8I2EuqcHl0O8/s1600-h/Stewart+and+Ulva+Island+220.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240954008784034786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXUZRJardn3KPVxmGAd4D7uTI9WYph0HD4dMtzkIL_RedUR8tQcIdHT_WeOzGMdDqIMd85-QxX84ce8DZkYnU3KyyoMPmMtN80-4xeGiT1JvS0g62sL-FxBj2Xvzg_Z5g8I2EuqcHl0O8/s320/Stewart+and+Ulva+Island+220.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center">Looking sleepy! :)</div><div align="center"><br /> </div><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif3g9DuFhaFFoIgvJHNbKHtsXTEOx9p57FND6NIcBnwW0cRi13teoNoiyEvkBo1ZaJXpSqtv6kv5ptPi-G3i4aC62HQY_e89pEXWqvusAq7gZZob7bGFkRz0DSKSTudx9v38iERW9C4R0/s1600-h/Stewart+and+Ulva+Island+238.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240954014356954946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif3g9DuFhaFFoIgvJHNbKHtsXTEOx9p57FND6NIcBnwW0cRi13teoNoiyEvkBo1ZaJXpSqtv6kv5ptPi-G3i4aC62HQY_e89pEXWqvusAq7gZZob7bGFkRz0DSKSTudx9v38iERW9C4R0/s320/Stewart+and+Ulva+Island+238.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center">We made it! Barely standing!!<br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAk1RWlKsgYImN0sJQ6AHXXwsxP7Op_pBF_Dvx9MWSiAtbkMv84QbSvNN4rEFbwHwfqtdlAp-htAF3dLsNuSH5gAZ2k_EHdZO9zilXRMSfMPj0z8FU5IXWTul8qPd_kZhXE0F38Vvuk7I/s1600-h/Stewart+and+Ulva+Island+242.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240954017851194418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAk1RWlKsgYImN0sJQ6AHXXwsxP7Op_pBF_Dvx9MWSiAtbkMv84QbSvNN4rEFbwHwfqtdlAp-htAF3dLsNuSH5gAZ2k_EHdZO9zilXRMSfMPj0z8FU5IXWTul8qPd_kZhXE0F38Vvuk7I/s320/Stewart+and+Ulva+Island+242.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center">Family, oops I mean group Photo! </p><p><br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Hb11cIx3e1W1yGPigL8kaDaSwm3TnESrPdcp8-Yq3fN7GsNEoXfQMuKtslWCAk5xDFmRACJZqby6SxsQa8JnFoQRvggmh8etV26F6DtBgurEt2eyTwlsspjkTKH83ylmXLGEoy-vy7g/s1600-h/Stewart+and+Ulva+Island+272.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240954023357418050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Hb11cIx3e1W1yGPigL8kaDaSwm3TnESrPdcp8-Yq3fN7GsNEoXfQMuKtslWCAk5xDFmRACJZqby6SxsQa8JnFoQRvggmh8etV26F6DtBgurEt2eyTwlsspjkTKH83ylmXLGEoy-vy7g/s320/Stewart+and+Ulva+Island+272.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center"></a>Views from Ulva Island<br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNNjpqfYN1YQw0GzcjmxznkkDr8QoOPS_wB6gxjhQyzvZEh9Kfi9X26vs6DP4Z6swduvvk9NxEzYNzT24Ph-zCsZ3utu1yJQ4TLJZITw0OKJ78RcdU-mV_JxUiQaj1OSHnieArkZHcRU4/s1600-h/Stewart+and+Ulva+Island+293.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240954026199620914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNNjpqfYN1YQw0GzcjmxznkkDr8QoOPS_wB6gxjhQyzvZEh9Kfi9X26vs6DP4Z6swduvvk9NxEzYNzT24Ph-zCsZ3utu1yJQ4TLJZITw0OKJ78RcdU-mV_JxUiQaj1OSHnieArkZHcRU4/s320/Stewart+and+Ulva+Island+293.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center"></a>Last of Ulva Island!<br /><br /><br /></p>Kiwi Lexiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15624259744301905837noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2456829066092852579.post-70187518189494217912008-08-17T12:52:00.009+12:002008-08-17T13:48:57.564+12:00Victory Beach then ChristchurchHello everyone!!<br /><div><br /><br /><div>Had some time last Sunday to do some day hiking out on the Otago Peninsula here in Dunedin. The peninsula is indescribable in it's beauty and so many different beaches! The beach we checked out last Sunday is known as Victory Beach due to the shipwreck of the mighty "Victory". You will see some photos of the Victory as it was low tide and you could see part of the ship. Apparently people go diving out here often. Notice the surrounding landscape as well and the baby fur seals! :)</div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitWh0l9UhIcyvXV1h7L2cS5vcuXxcf3nB_u08BOZWhcdB6VsThS5491BC0AEjTQMrNwEuLUAjxjO9JhpKS30ovyCrUIMGvvBvSH4L53aAc60wC0nMkCfKhVHEbT9LDJk2LQ8VjolyIkF8/s1600-h/baby+fur+seals+V+beach.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235285581932552690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyiGxw31wvJY_dAT_hOs83DIae2wYOdb3kS5MQIIwKXi2-24QX4jX_oUuzzwYe8Vst3PChnQX2EKSMHQXaUCXlyGHkP0nA5LjMZOxxLfPsqDGknY97flEl0fS4WkS9K2YZv3BxR1tsjZw/s320/Victory+Beach+inlet.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235284899406957106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmcMmXsBLOIXecdwmGmi3YFbWj02tNAs1cM5jRUjWaUGxnh4hDvEdatu-MOfPBwyI1Q9ZPaSvrX5ykYj5wkwVqHqm_5o0PxEmHesDVwehJ_MSFpSAFCl23TwWVN8XexigTp4u0-hzCCQA/s320/rocks+at+victory+beach.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235285586554876994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh65d63-wIHvaTm1MZBMm3dTKzM3ZzI8FqmWLD0gXaj5zfnuHw_Nmytc9BgHhXIpHVKtoTrmVsDIhlQYEFy3Y6nUycc2BWTuA_qiE4VY-XgD422ZnYyg1GyS2X9zusS-pI-T3QGUY57HDs/s320/victory+beach+2.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235285560315841586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitWh0l9UhIcyvXV1h7L2cS5vcuXxcf3nB_u08BOZWhcdB6VsThS5491BC0AEjTQMrNwEuLUAjxjO9JhpKS30ovyCrUIMGvvBvSH4L53aAc60wC0nMkCfKhVHEbT9LDJk2LQ8VjolyIkF8/s320/baby+fur+seals+V+beach.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSHOWw6jf-kyZDdgxBVz8oy89W_bXG2ZcYGae48HWYux0o3kd5DeHWMOKjgqs4nsnDGr2UlHyFgqmy-9xeYBPVlCedk-3Pk7HkeFqwT32thlgoEwN8Pf7KDGi1kYu3LqVoq2Gfvs2jBsY/s1600-h/beauty+at+victory+beach.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235284906445090482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSHOWw6jf-kyZDdgxBVz8oy89W_bXG2ZcYGae48HWYux0o3kd5DeHWMOKjgqs4nsnDGr2UlHyFgqmy-9xeYBPVlCedk-3Pk7HkeFqwT32thlgoEwN8Pf7KDGi1kYu3LqVoq2Gfvs2jBsY/s320/beauty+at+victory+beach.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggp3_WnfGAGf87FWuNKfZsFDMr7iJ9-C_J8kbBgQVIO_ojzswirduc0MFD0g1f1k8mYpDqPoZw6bwLhn11kiEa0u5j0wrsQbS4gNoitYx6HIeWYjp_jIxRCgC2Ct7zwSbzDH6EkdeOddM/s1600-h/lex+victory+beach.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235284911128868818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggp3_WnfGAGf87FWuNKfZsFDMr7iJ9-C_J8kbBgQVIO_ojzswirduc0MFD0g1f1k8mYpDqPoZw6bwLhn11kiEa0u5j0wrsQbS4gNoitYx6HIeWYjp_jIxRCgC2Ct7zwSbzDH6EkdeOddM/s320/lex+victory+beach.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguHU4RsKAr1dGgV_lm12Q_3REGx5nHipmgiW7qGuL7yL8jxUjDbS7gxxuXfzMLKIKcjnh4f8O9ZEjWsBUU0QUByYZlOKfrOtH3wB0m3Cjv-jEuN84mo5lOIkkZ4hDO98y0iza2zakADLM/s1600-h/shipwreck+victory+beach.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235284914277906290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguHU4RsKAr1dGgV_lm12Q_3REGx5nHipmgiW7qGuL7yL8jxUjDbS7gxxuXfzMLKIKcjnh4f8O9ZEjWsBUU0QUByYZlOKfrOtH3wB0m3Cjv-jEuN84mo5lOIkkZ4hDO98y0iza2zakADLM/s320/shipwreck+victory+beach.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjITr0F7K5qiPNJzl9h_zzLyJKg04k-KwF7rz7bXvoWv7OSy_V-fPGT17JwD1ft0ubXhighve0VWH5G9AxxZfMTLKyJeGAk8CJdqQAWrvMkiRnQWXOSE_lsQI06fUPaDb6WpD4nlJU9w8s/s1600-h/tranquility+Victory+beach.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235284917666326146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjITr0F7K5qiPNJzl9h_zzLyJKg04k-KwF7rz7bXvoWv7OSy_V-fPGT17JwD1ft0ubXhighve0VWH5G9AxxZfMTLKyJeGAk8CJdqQAWrvMkiRnQWXOSE_lsQI06fUPaDb6WpD4nlJU9w8s/s320/tranquility+Victory+beach.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div></div><br /><div>This past week I was sent up to Christchurch for a conference. Had 1 free day to do some exploring so some views of the city as well as the surrounding peninsula. Chrischurch is a city of about 300,000. Quite a flat city in comparison to Dunedin and known as the city of gardens! I also love the picture of the giant Chess set where you will find people daily playing here in the city. I took a ride up the Gondola to get some views of the city and hiked my way back down.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235286547388628114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjChIkMgyCtH66uOdrZ8jR7ZjH4qk178tqhgowFAUhEV2erN_gm3RYcS96Hi1AEStXSMnU78Qak8n7cWG8p9MOa9ixMAK-GMWZEFNFrJX-0V_Wcyt9j73_ocsSdzJF5fpnuE-qVUtmwQxg/s320/Cathedral+Square+Christchurch.JPG" border="0" /></div><br /><div align="center">Christchurch Cathedral</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235286549457819922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdwwl0K6I00YavjPRldKVjg12OcQ79GAmWXQ9toe-KtrZxMIrWyCcJeNU57i2D7vuJGY3P4ETy4q3us880WkNGkS4ZntjBDIxlxY1hpIvGZA2NZpUBtpkhz6437Ow_XiJq5NhbYH2EPXA/s320/View+from+the+top+Gondola.JPG" border="0" />Lyttleton Harbor</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235286544013688418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj98JbYu_9jn_VzZyRsPia-6dgymK2Wzuj1a_4WJ-aHFrX-AnR0wRO0p1Ls2kMMWDaDmqbCMCx4u6HndUv6IkBeMp56mqMjYfqYZtfgA_IDY3AiZ2z_b5D-f-XyML4XarWp7pni2wPC0cg/s320/Bridge+and+Memorial+Botanical+Gardens+Christchurch.JPG" border="0" /></div><br /><div align="center">Botanical Gardens</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235285587292897570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeGaFH0AD2Qhl4Z1vpRMpL8aLA7n6wdRM9N8YiUzxKil2GG7Go4t1bLu97KQeBYuGFgRus0AAALfP50xKEhkvmhGCguRgV7YMDNriGBfRXdMi7rRrJn5NFIGXzykePc9Rz8b6QXjLLS6c/s320/Hagley+Park.JPG" border="0" /></div><div align="left"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235285599405320322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdasLoxNz_H1OIonSJBOHOs03z_pXnOg6mbo33XaJqKGzBjTBPc6Rtw1_GlnzFETtmR6UlVP0cx0K3Hxgf0sPEcELzCkn77jVrV8WHDxUbgoBlRSox_Phe5sRdT0g9Wkw9lk2inkxE8D8/s320/Chess+Christchurch.JPG" border="0" /></div><br /><div align="left">More to come later!</div><div align="left">Love, </div><div align="left">lex</div>Kiwi Lexiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15624259744301905837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2456829066092852579.post-49088359473747324132008-07-22T21:34:00.005+12:002008-07-22T22:08:06.751+12:00Rugby then Wanaka<div align="center"><br /><br /></div><div align="left">Hello Friends!!<br /><br />It's been a few weeks since my last blog so I'm ready to update again! A couple weeks ago the New Zealand National Rugby Team was in town playing South Africa. Unfortunately, the All Blacks lost the game in the final minutes but it was a great game to watch! People go NUTS here for Rugby and especially for the All Blacks. People traveled from all over the South Island to see the All Blacks play here in Dunedin. Central City was actually blocked off for the game, concerts were being played in the street, and big screen TV's out in the middle of town. A group of us went to a local pub to watch the game and it was great!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Between weekends just catching up on some work. I'm currently reviewing about 3000 article abstracts to include in a systematic review I will be writing up and hopefully submitting for publication this December/January. Between reading the abstracts and fighting the New Zealand internet which is a dinosaur at downloading things, you would be amazed at how long this actually takes me to do! I'm also working with the Dean of the School of Physiotherapy on another project as his Assistant Research Fellow so that it taking up some of my time as well.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Doesn't take up too much time though because this past weekend a bunch of my mates and I traveled over to Wanaka for some snow skiing!! First time skiing in New Zealand and it was beautiful. They are due for some more snow and the mountains aren't as high as the Rockies so it's more equivalent to East Coast skiing where it can get a bit icy!! However, the views are spectacular and you are looking down on the glacier filled lake from the top of the mountain. Did 2 days of skiing and will be going back a few more weekends in the next few months.<br /><br />Cheers!<br /><br /><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225771966486871698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoFsV5NQ_i-trfQCvGxeScYWHAwFMA9-2eFiq04SQgd27MxvDdpWCiEc87mMr-DrctiYalN956lwq_rIi4LDhKkBSYjs5WmxOI1RPzrGEI43-QswPcMv4yGN0BY1OrirpgpYdD45hIs8E/s320/rugby+crew.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">Go All Blacks!<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225771391287005714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1NjoIxpRdloX4-DP3yq1SxkRDe5aJ70qF78wbiEfoeMVnSiChABmKDAb3ZSezdOf48L3UQsExHOY8iHGSqqDK8FjOVY2mEaB4YQ3qwWtkEWK7RePP3w7BuanRB64bMeB4iQTVEXA67dk/s320/Wanaka+006.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><div align="center">The view of Lake Wanaka!!</div><br /><div align="center"></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225777660797489890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3LoHuuozW_gzvvP0jl4v5TndxuawLjPwM6mQ9U7FAZ42lkefWyvt-rBLAdx1ohDWYE51ZoY2dq7_Y1o-kNeMGOinu1FXrijKjM7IGiNtAE2Cc4-AzWB5n1TXdUOCNhb7dNprYNTN9w1o/s320/Treble+Cone.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center">Treble Cone Ski Field<br /></p><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225777660369480466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvX_VnG7wcIb4r5ZAQWuO68ovmOegFPdiwv2T4mca9PPscAWb6xv4q51OPttxVuQlAPxLK7tcPL6sQ9Zk7LGFO-dFZqNYTODmNBlcY0aH6ytjD29fbrksQRee0PzKAhDF1ZTZM-jn2UYY/s320/Treble+Cone+2.jpg" border="0" /></div><p align="center">Treble Cone Ski Field 2</p>Kiwi Lexiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15624259744301905837noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2456829066092852579.post-40415893777808559152008-06-05T20:31:00.009+12:002008-06-05T21:04:24.325+12:00It just keeps getting better in New Zealand!! Milford Sound Weekend!<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEL6Y9Wo6Q42ffZ0SNapxBcmRo68KBMUIx7H-cQAEfVU6iq0bGiLyuUMdbHXcTRP75UX83fG2DB2drlNrKCRxGNHLDcsN8PQV7jQX4C1IMtmnGiP7g-EdkYYPD5MquUN61p5wGFGcSJis/s1600-h/Dan+emily+lexie+milford.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208319474220214114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEL6Y9Wo6Q42ffZ0SNapxBcmRo68KBMUIx7H-cQAEfVU6iq0bGiLyuUMdbHXcTRP75UX83fG2DB2drlNrKCRxGNHLDcsN8PQV7jQX4C1IMtmnGiP7g-EdkYYPD5MquUN61p5wGFGcSJis/s320/Dan+emily+lexie+milford.jpg" border="0" /></a> Dan, Emily, and myself at Milford Sound</div><br /><div align="center"><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYoHyvsRoGDxi66Aqi0JigpbcNIcpMIxvNKm0kc0lCIfRumI6bOh6tyN0hBgsPiWdwmorOgvTK_49Jwj0GNQSy6CEMbrWfb9S_TAFokF4oexg6yTIycjEu68upJrkviyafO9X4Z-aQMPI/s1600-h/DSC00120.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208318955097374050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYoHyvsRoGDxi66Aqi0JigpbcNIcpMIxvNKm0kc0lCIfRumI6bOh6tyN0hBgsPiWdwmorOgvTK_49Jwj0GNQSy6CEMbrWfb9S_TAFokF4oexg6yTIycjEu68upJrkviyafO9X4Z-aQMPI/s320/DSC00120.JPG" border="0" /></a> The Chasm at Milford Sound<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNB_SZDTClsLAXRHa_GKmVBJWrxyG-9Fw0loJ595gCU_7YZ0zEHj157LQJC-3DvOiKqB6B6HimBOrZ0CqxvVDc58pe9UEyw_BU3p21Y-km8Dn9jlgp5kb8Fwr2ln8WkESWABETT8I-6g4/s1600-h/DSC00129.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208318957278152962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNB_SZDTClsLAXRHa_GKmVBJWrxyG-9Fw0loJ595gCU_7YZ0zEHj157LQJC-3DvOiKqB6B6HimBOrZ0CqxvVDc58pe9UEyw_BU3p21Y-km8Dn9jlgp5kb8Fwr2ln8WkESWABETT8I-6g4/s320/DSC00129.JPG" border="0" /></a> Cool looking stuff at Milford Sound </div><div align="center"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAoKNHl_vvBYaLZwJdUNG98e1d3hp8HMXMY_Xeaw7ZW6NEMb3qjhtYN4i1l8TAWzy47Qd0TMeWe8AHP-Ond14gi8EQtakl31esw-3Qfw9Evzb2FtiHkP-bvITrX2r8C06ZL1qn7hBjiII/s1600-h/DSC00130.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208318962795084962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAoKNHl_vvBYaLZwJdUNG98e1d3hp8HMXMY_Xeaw7ZW6NEMb3qjhtYN4i1l8TAWzy47Qd0TMeWe8AHP-Ond14gi8EQtakl31esw-3Qfw9Evzb2FtiHkP-bvITrX2r8C06ZL1qn7hBjiII/s320/DSC00130.JPG" border="0" /></a>The Tasman Sea<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiww3Lb-cobl-36sJTnLlVMkaTdoPo8OclswigemtQk340omRJLmaMbnbry20cjTty-yYSkIzKgJMjdJndQ4PFe7B9tl-cQ14HwUgl9VFFni7VrqgFeEDu1NBPgCnDaA3_PCLHnsmLLXN8/s1600-h/DSC00152.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208318364289098546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiww3Lb-cobl-36sJTnLlVMkaTdoPo8OclswigemtQk340omRJLmaMbnbry20cjTty-yYSkIzKgJMjdJndQ4PFe7B9tl-cQ14HwUgl9VFFni7VrqgFeEDu1NBPgCnDaA3_PCLHnsmLLXN8/s320/DSC00152.JPG" border="0" /></a>Bowen Falls at Milford Sound (yes, this is a real picture!)<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSub074p89lGgJ4KWZ4W_upVwi3ZWwwDO3h3MaK1vqS9Rti74zKdZ0dqJQhOttxLeudrBysOOb0lLEPmeVeBEawT0EtvEPzepiTossfX9yyrRQbvnxi1Gq6e3UpfBIbVuSLyMQ2oUCjFA/s1600-h/DSC00151.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208318115625255602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSub074p89lGgJ4KWZ4W_upVwi3ZWwwDO3h3MaK1vqS9Rti74zKdZ0dqJQhOttxLeudrBysOOb0lLEPmeVeBEawT0EtvEPzepiTossfX9yyrRQbvnxi1Gq6e3UpfBIbVuSLyMQ2oUCjFA/s320/DSC00151.JPG" border="0" /></a>Milford Mariner on Milford Sound (our boat!)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Well, I have to admit one thing...the kiwis may have socialist medicine and weird food but they sure do their landscaping right!! This past weekend was Queen's Birthday Weekend which meant we had Monday off work (even though they don't even do that in England!) But Kiwis love themselves some holidays so if there is a questionable holiday, be certain we will have it off! I'm not complaining...just relaying the facts.<br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div>Anyway, Dan, Emily, and myself made the most of the weekend by traveling 3.5 hours to the western part of the country to Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound. What a beautiful place indeed! Snow capped mountains surrounded by glacier carved Fiords and Lakes clear out to the Tasman Sea. We were able to take a boat out to the Tasman Sea while sailing the Milford Sound. AMAZING! We also visited Te Anau and took a boat cruise out to see caves and glowworms which was pretty awesome.</div><br /><br /><div>Off to the good 'ole USA next week for conference in San Antonio and then home for a week to see family!</div><br /><br /><div>Lex</div><br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxh6APP79_077IPi7HJsNPnwwL4fc1QYtMJntoPp4UHbEkTGJNtmwNolUq_8k5JJxWgWxxRueYv19cyI-gkOQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /></div>Kiwi Lexiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15624259744301905837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2456829066092852579.post-66876542832029743902008-03-25T20:48:00.002+13:002008-03-25T21:00:12.057+13:00Easter Weekend - Queenstown Adventure Part IISo I survived Queenstown once again! Easter Weekend was a blast as 7 of us went over to a small town called Arrowtown about 15 minutes outside Queenstown. It was one of the clinicians from the PT clinic, his wife, myself, Dan and Emily. <br /><br />We spent a lot of time NOT doing anything related to the PhD which was a nice change. Ate a LOT of chocolate and by a lot, I mean ridiculous amounts of sheep's milk chocolate! :)<br /><br />So being the adventure seeker I am, I decided to forego bungee jumping this trip (been there, done that) and decided to take a little trip down the river on a knee board. They call this Mad Dog River Boarding. <a href="http://www.riverboarding.co.nz/">http://www.riverboarding.co.nz/</a> Check it out!!<br /><br />So basically, you get into a wetsuit because this is all glacier water so it's about 10 degrees celsius. Full on wetsuit, wetsuit jacket, booties, life jacket, helmet, and flippers. They are hard core too because when you sign up to go you sign a waiver saying you won't sue them if you experience death...i'm like, ok....sure...when i'm dead I won't sue you! Anyway, you hit the water with your wetsuit, flippers, and knee board and basically you experience white water rafting, but you are in the water vs. in the boat! About grade 3 rapids but when you are in the water and the waves are eating you they seem a bit larger!! It was hilarious...i'm not sure how much of that water I drank, but i have to admit, probably some of the cleanest water ever, very cold and refreshing...great for drinking! At the end of that, they strap you on the back of a jet ski and pull you around, then i jumped off a 7 m rock into the river, followed by a slide down into the river on the knee board and finally a rope swing!<br /><br />Lasted about 3 hours in total and I had already run about 7 miles in the morning so I seriously wanted to collapse afterward. Huge amounts of fun though and some near crashing into large boulders! <br /><br />The rest of the weekend we spent hanging out around Queenstown, grilling out, running down by the river, playing cricket and some tennis. You know, your typical everyday backyard cricket game!!<br /><br />Back to work tomorrow with our first patient!!Kiwi Lexiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15624259744301905837noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2456829066092852579.post-34312334927954374782008-03-18T19:57:00.002+13:002008-03-18T20:07:55.252+13:00Birthday Kiwi Style!!So I celebrated my 27th here in New Zealand the Kiwi Way. Not much difference but I'm pretty sure I just turned 27 a day earlier than I was supposed to! Anyway, enjoyed a little Turkish Dinner (which at first scared me but then I realized it was just kebabs and such). Such an American girl, I am.... i'm like, oh..kebabs...that's totally American ..just throw it on the grill and eat with some corn on the cobb and whatever....but OH NO...here it's like a fancy restaurant where I pay good money for meat off a stick...and then they try to pretend like I couldn't have made that myself! But New Zealand is great like that....in a 1 block radius I could have Thai, Seafood, Indian, Thai again, cambodian, turkish, mexican, thai again, some weird deer or lamb burger (GROSS!!), Mickey D's!, Irish pub food, indian...and of course Thai. Have to admit, I've tried lamb a bit but it's just not my style... plus it's like eating my childhood stuffed animal...they are too cute to eat...mary had a little lamb and all and I'm going to eat it....NOPE. <br /><br />I really need to take some pictures of the lifestyle here....HILARIOUS....for instance, throwing your couch up onto your roof and chillin in the middle of the day....completely normal...no one even looks at you twice unless you are me. Burning couches....another no brainer....and don't try burning chairs, that's just LAME....if you are going to burn, burn for REAL. umm....streaking...yeah, they don't save that for night, it's midday...apparently there is a national nudity day here...what is that?? Are you serious? I need to get into shape before that one! :)<br /><br />So I figure this much, when I get back to the states I'm definitely bringing back some Kiwi traditions and will try to lift my couch on my roof and sit and drink beer out there...I'm certain I'd be arrested but all I have to say is "It's Kiwi Style" Back off! :)<br /><br />Off to Queenstown for the Easter holiday and hoping to get myself into some kind of dangerous activity since I already checked bungee over a river off my list.<br /><br />I think I may try knee boarding down a rip-roaring river and try to bang my head against a few boulders....if I'm not bleeding by the end, I just didn't try hard enough!Kiwi Lexiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15624259744301905837noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2456829066092852579.post-73075756069232412302008-03-02T09:33:00.002+13:002008-03-02T09:44:04.522+13:00Work week and Catlins Weekend 2<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOWt2J9Ao9rkJlb8yPqP4rmWq9da7HgOLJUk8Mgm6Xe2eYg9cY9UpHfEbXr45cm6NuL0b54SFsGhtrddvKlOszDTf-sX8VX_l6cgo0LI-QApi9gHr-A-Cw3AQBQ_5K7qkqRIiHUpE2WL4/s1600-h/McLean+Falls+and+Cathedral+Caves+012.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5172876714592666002" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOWt2J9Ao9rkJlb8yPqP4rmWq9da7HgOLJUk8Mgm6Xe2eYg9cY9UpHfEbXr45cm6NuL0b54SFsGhtrddvKlOszDTf-sX8VX_l6cgo0LI-QApi9gHr-A-Cw3AQBQ_5K7qkqRIiHUpE2WL4/s320/McLean+Falls+and+Cathedral+Caves+012.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMHJa57GANu_dfZ4BIkwwBQciNNcBAHvvTp6p7pwtk51P6KYDFdtz1PnaExKQw6ut2lJi-_O-IVdx_xl3eQITnE-vIiFiVQhYvQ8B1eajquxrprimMSOGuXrcxAaK3seLzIwRtDyl01uk/s1600-h/McLean+Falls+and+Cathedral+Caves+014.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5172876727477567906" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMHJa57GANu_dfZ4BIkwwBQciNNcBAHvvTp6p7pwtk51P6KYDFdtz1PnaExKQw6ut2lJi-_O-IVdx_xl3eQITnE-vIiFiVQhYvQ8B1eajquxrprimMSOGuXrcxAaK3seLzIwRtDyl01uk/s320/McLean+Falls+and+Cathedral+Caves+014.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDKIIn5jAh4YnATPPBWYkQnEJrPqqYPGZ9Rr3rtkrjSDycZZMl1lXncXu5T7EsPmnu4REe5_FRKKKBlASLnDALhOBS6lS9o9fRbA3IBDhUH3tR5mv4Cu9tiE3vv9T7qMOuhuiWw0U_2gU/s1600-h/McLean+Falls+and+Cathedral+Caves+019.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5172876744657437106" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDKIIn5jAh4YnATPPBWYkQnEJrPqqYPGZ9Rr3rtkrjSDycZZMl1lXncXu5T7EsPmnu4REe5_FRKKKBlASLnDALhOBS6lS9o9fRbA3IBDhUH3tR5mv4Cu9tiE3vv9T7qMOuhuiWw0U_2gU/s320/McLean+Falls+and+Cathedral+Caves+019.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOu8zUeVQHhgx5pFrtu42cmlhT2ZLPGYW_jZQB1W2xUUvzjVt63-wo3BYLFUeLip4u_U6fclDxEu6XPg2_CV_8lmgNIqyQzadA_Ft-lAQbD5MN0pZ2xYx6LDdw_tWLJAWpSwxMLznG8jg/s1600-h/McLean+Falls+and+Cathedral+Caves+022.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5172876753247371714" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOu8zUeVQHhgx5pFrtu42cmlhT2ZLPGYW_jZQB1W2xUUvzjVt63-wo3BYLFUeLip4u_U6fclDxEu6XPg2_CV_8lmgNIqyQzadA_Ft-lAQbD5MN0pZ2xYx6LDdw_tWLJAWpSwxMLznG8jg/s320/McLean+Falls+and+Cathedral+Caves+022.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCx25Uhkh3iTWyNkbH0fbnOIK6vybXB7RtcedBp6Cy39NZmjGHD2M_yvm5y4eV_NXRorx1dxh6R9ojcJompXBpk14p-NFscLtiNhtbDypcK5YZ_6y6wQDH4uE5HNB7zTiDaQygNZpze_4/s1600-h/McLean+Falls+and+Cathedral+Caves+031.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5172876761837306322" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCx25Uhkh3iTWyNkbH0fbnOIK6vybXB7RtcedBp6Cy39NZmjGHD2M_yvm5y4eV_NXRorx1dxh6R9ojcJompXBpk14p-NFscLtiNhtbDypcK5YZ_6y6wQDH4uE5HNB7zTiDaQygNZpze_4/s320/McLean+Falls+and+Cathedral+Caves+031.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Hello everyone!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Haven't blogged since last Sunday so I apologize but work has been a bit busy this week and just now getting the chance to do some blogging.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>We are getting closer and closer to our first patient and will actually start assessments 1 week from tomorrow. We have been busy testing out our equipment, finalizing paper forms, and setting things up in the database.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Last weekend, I went out and tried ultimate frisbee and ice hockey. I believe I am better at frisbee than ice hockey as it becomes very difficult to both skate AND flip that little puck around at the same time! I played ultimate again later in the week and also checked out the women's rugby teams. I may actually look into that a bit further! Sounds fun and you could really get rid of some agression that way! They are full contact tackling!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Yesterday, the other PhD student, Dan, and his wife Emily and I took another scenic drive a bit further south this time into the Catlins where we were able to visit McLean Falls and the Cathedral Caves. Both were absolutely amazing! Cathedral Caves was an adventure in itself as it was a bit stormy yesterday so even at low tide it became difficult to actually make it into the caves which lie on the beach. We had to do some dodging and running through the water and let me tell you, that Antarctic current is freezing!!! But pretty sweet once you were able to get to the caves and they probably go as deep as 1/2 football field once you are entirely in!! </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Today is a rainy day so I'll probably just stick around home, possibly do some work but that's about it!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Later!</div>Kiwi Lexiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15624259744301905837noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2456829066092852579.post-20713387641773890792008-02-24T21:42:00.003+13:002008-02-24T21:46:02.307+13:00More Pictures!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigrArJPRMzL7-ZguTfXvOExXwkk-wAP9J7AG3sAZ_xNntWNUNP6k7b-eyjC_D9wvZ0a338Kq6uPL_qaOyZMN4yu7mwJNYR2Rq_jc7VOETw0cSuFCBLeYzZJstsYGj7xmu3kUjuuY_3B_4/s1600-h/lighthouse+and+nuggets.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170464975000653874" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigrArJPRMzL7-ZguTfXvOExXwkk-wAP9J7AG3sAZ_xNntWNUNP6k7b-eyjC_D9wvZ0a338Kq6uPL_qaOyZMN4yu7mwJNYR2Rq_jc7VOETw0cSuFCBLeYzZJstsYGj7xmu3kUjuuY_3B_4/s320/lighthouse+and+nuggets.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU_nTQHdNbjn1v_rynFG9Hw9lH7AAWvlc10WGDiUnqUMszRkSoW50GFjI2pS4eEPxBT8t4GesxMx1u0ZvrfpRoOLXtchpVL6j7p5JLJYVcfXTvTZIUcQnF3nyJraHwJocHxxFxYGuxn10/s1600-h/sea+lions+surat+bay+4.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170464983590588482" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU_nTQHdNbjn1v_rynFG9Hw9lH7AAWvlc10WGDiUnqUMszRkSoW50GFjI2pS4eEPxBT8t4GesxMx1u0ZvrfpRoOLXtchpVL6j7p5JLJYVcfXTvTZIUcQnF3nyJraHwJocHxxFxYGuxn10/s320/sea+lions+surat+bay+4.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXDudzfZ395Lph69-BoVTqyxAY3lq-tBmsuQxXLs2L6G5w0Ja584ML1_y_vs7pc4gpZSFD6W5IZO8KSp_Vtz6jigVDwUCcIXVSrS3xx64HZ0qLBKox9EIii7UFEDJKqclYXCi5C0VWOFY/s1600-h/nugget+lighthouse+4.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170464987885555794" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXDudzfZ395Lph69-BoVTqyxAY3lq-tBmsuQxXLs2L6G5w0Ja584ML1_y_vs7pc4gpZSFD6W5IZO8KSp_Vtz6jigVDwUCcIXVSrS3xx64HZ0qLBKox9EIii7UFEDJKqclYXCi5C0VWOFY/s320/nugget+lighthouse+4.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Ok, here you have the lighthouse at Nugget Point and sea lions at Surat Bay. It's incredible...they are in their natural habitat and you can be within 10 metres of them!!</div>Kiwi Lexiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15624259744301905837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2456829066092852579.post-15859133945243651212008-02-24T21:27:00.004+13:002008-02-24T21:40:24.719+13:00North Catlins Trip<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWv7LU9VJEMpZr77PJRPSUk087asv30EETGJzR1nQeTlBO9hQc6TdTGxkkMLsVF1p2HTMuNvk2KVxrgvUj4t4FtOrda_YrJM5nxjDqElxayaWNpNfwPRqLolrZt8HID9KVpZvrGIKs3aU/s1600-h/jack's+bay.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170462788862300130" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWv7LU9VJEMpZr77PJRPSUk087asv30EETGJzR1nQeTlBO9hQc6TdTGxkkMLsVF1p2HTMuNvk2KVxrgvUj4t4FtOrda_YrJM5nxjDqElxayaWNpNfwPRqLolrZt8HID9KVpZvrGIKs3aU/s320/jack's+bay.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNAE3xCSCZEs9FFnjD316Hg4oSuyEwQEfzhd2WC0HONDOH9A3FaWUJtl8ZP-BNFrs2pgZnPxIJ-o2MOkkPMbMp2dOvd6gPr-u_J1l6j4CI23XPpNGF8y6A6K1Ez8xQxHaTj4r94H4YC5E/s1600-h/grandfather+falls+2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170462797452234738" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNAE3xCSCZEs9FFnjD316Hg4oSuyEwQEfzhd2WC0HONDOH9A3FaWUJtl8ZP-BNFrs2pgZnPxIJ-o2MOkkPMbMp2dOvd6gPr-u_J1l6j4CI23XPpNGF8y6A6K1Ez8xQxHaTj4r94H4YC5E/s320/grandfather+falls+2.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpdjMpQoITK5u9v7ud7N4PujG6brkAsElzMfnbpt9kkdPPI115Rya7hbaHPkaWVyy-reeO5EbUC3sDgu_QZ6yw8ITbBU6nKxvx76fe_Mqi_3n0Ceap_ji3g4ss_FlC81FXK-aL7P3deeM/s1600-h/karitane+2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170462806042169346" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpdjMpQoITK5u9v7ud7N4PujG6brkAsElzMfnbpt9kkdPPI115Rya7hbaHPkaWVyy-reeO5EbUC3sDgu_QZ6yw8ITbBU6nKxvx76fe_Mqi_3n0Ceap_ji3g4ss_FlC81FXK-aL7P3deeM/s320/karitane+2.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5nwChOu2Hzmlftdsy5LUEXV_dRkKERtrkJwfGVAbL3vOkc3ZgKT8zkwkFJ-h3CWocBMWfiAr3Cg1Hal0EN07ofnwzBQnrlnj8sToarhw4YjbC5jFccsWImemQhpAytsd2_MMgBzetqAo/s1600-h/lexie+at+pukeranuei+falls.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170462814632103954" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5nwChOu2Hzmlftdsy5LUEXV_dRkKERtrkJwfGVAbL3vOkc3ZgKT8zkwkFJ-h3CWocBMWfiAr3Cg1Hal0EN07ofnwzBQnrlnj8sToarhw4YjbC5jFccsWImemQhpAytsd2_MMgBzetqAo/s320/lexie+at+pukeranuei+falls.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid4ZqdpXk7HWgfiCr2pMAMDLMuTLV7kkR_-9KjouWZ3xYl_gXw3FPnqq9l_xZbc5j_a4a7o55iA0YlCyEL-0VWOCFmJLkAarmVj3u3ba7Yu_86DckinAqMUQ7hkz1TK9os0R7o9Cdu3ic/s1600-h/lexie+nugget+point.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170462827517005858" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid4ZqdpXk7HWgfiCr2pMAMDLMuTLV7kkR_-9KjouWZ3xYl_gXw3FPnqq9l_xZbc5j_a4a7o55iA0YlCyEL-0VWOCFmJLkAarmVj3u3ba7Yu_86DckinAqMUQ7hkz1TK9os0R7o9Cdu3ic/s320/lexie+nugget+point.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Hello again everyone!!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Well, it was a busy week and weekend. We start recruiting our first patient in 2 weeks so all of the forms and assessments I've been working on have been submitted to be placed in the database in order to be ready to collect data in the coming weeks. Next week we will finalize our exercise and manual therapy protocols as well as practice our assessments so we are in smooth operation when that first person shows up!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>The weekend was beautiful here in Dunedin and myself as well as the other PhD student from the US and his wife borrowed a car from a fellow clinician and DROVE south on the island to a place called the North Catlins. I've placed a few pictures on here for you to see the amazing scenery this place has to offer! The first is called Jack's Bay, then you have Matai Falls, Karitane, Purakaunui Falls, and Nugget Point!</div><div> </div><div>And by the way, the car was stick and it's on the left!! </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Sunday I spent the day attending church, playing ultimate frisbee in the 85 degree weather and then made a trip out to the ice rink to try out ice hockey with one of the guys here in my living quarters. Hysterical but a lot of fun! </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I finally have internet access here at my place so I should be able to be in better contact now!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Hope everyone is well!</div>Kiwi Lexiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15624259744301905837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2456829066092852579.post-45870376605579502092008-02-20T09:42:00.003+13:002008-02-20T09:48:09.834+13:00Orientation Week!Ok, this week has been hilarious so far. I finally got moved in to my new place which is pretty swanky considering it is still somewhat considered a residence hall. But basically it's the size of a large hotel room with a desk, small kitchenette, sofa, private bathroom, bookshelf, dressers, and bed. The place also has a bar downstairs, great food, pool, hot tub, sauna, 2 HUGE lounges with leather sofa and SKY TV which is basically meaning cable! :)<br /><br />Anyway, this week also marks the return of the Dunedin students and WHAT a difference that makes. The student population makes up about 1/4th of the city's population and I hate to admit it, but I FEEL SO OLD!! These kids are up partying until 4 or 6 am!! I'm like I have no desire to do this anymore!! This morning I was walking to work and there were smashed beer bottles EVERYWHERE and vomit on the streets and sidewalks...CRAZY. And the New Zealanders really love their beer so it's quite entertaining!<br /><br />Other than that, I've bought a bike and today is the day you can sign up for different club teams and such so I may check out a few things I've never done before such as rowing or rugby, maybe even some hockey but we'll see. Not sure my ankles can take that one!<br /><br />Hope everyone is well!Kiwi Lexiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15624259744301905837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2456829066092852579.post-89372229308584916172008-02-12T10:41:00.001+13:002008-02-12T10:55:47.315+13:00Penguin Video!Hello All,<br /><br />Here is the penguin video from last week...hilarious!<br /><br />I am leaving for my Physio retreat starting tomorrow. We are headed off to a beach house about 45 minutes north of dunedin for some team building and outdoor fun as well as a little work. <br /><br />Currently I'm working on finalizing my hip assessment forms for my research and working on my presentations for this retreat. <br /><br />Undergrad students return here to Dunedin next week as "summer break" has ended.<br /><br />Hope you get the penguin video!<br /><br />lex<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyab9GMdPzDqsJBck9AT4imInwPCK4MgqFpsOyukZW88HagVgUpSevzSskgezZ7x6qx244Y-AGRI-yXKYyk6g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Kiwi Lexiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15624259744301905837noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2456829066092852579.post-40158987013827087362008-02-05T22:37:00.000+13:002008-02-06T08:53:11.640+13:00Otago Peninsula<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Ypp37WFi83jnYBO9iSAtlNgkZQ1cQkK0og_pe-NeQGyw1mzwH-lQetVAS4FSNTmIseGszALQtqwjZ7GqDrIF6LN-ec0A2x_Z7k2vFKP2QkzjpxDSmpur6QubN4tYNVQGXmlJvjzhcps/s1600-h/DSC00075.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Ypp37WFi83jnYBO9iSAtlNgkZQ1cQkK0og_pe-NeQGyw1mzwH-lQetVAS4FSNTmIseGszALQtqwjZ7GqDrIF6LN-ec0A2x_Z7k2vFKP2QkzjpxDSmpur6QubN4tYNVQGXmlJvjzhcps/s320/DSC00075.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5163586139061041618" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3KHVBNf1x-iCjr7U-7XFe1V_kTOwWeuZedGHtjnvUNT4qItuaWsvVf27ehODf77kbnVy82suDo4EMTmTWA7hcA76uGbo9c5eKkzr8JQbI27sRAj37doBBA61jsHf5aQwcYUV46wj90x8/s1600-h/DSC00033.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3KHVBNf1x-iCjr7U-7XFe1V_kTOwWeuZedGHtjnvUNT4qItuaWsvVf27ehODf77kbnVy82suDo4EMTmTWA7hcA76uGbo9c5eKkzr8JQbI27sRAj37doBBA61jsHf5aQwcYUV46wj90x8/s320/DSC00033.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5163586147650976226" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMH1lDv7a6ZLEK-ZPHSwpK966r73NE4EJs2eA6p2UUldjxdNoXJZVp0OuISbEPG0EZZwI8M7Xd_KSLbju9DeB8zr8cj1p2l0MrCJ2Hk_cOJov1E1fCUx5C0RGv3pq7GKsX8hOC9sHp8Zw/s1600-h/DSC00061.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMH1lDv7a6ZLEK-ZPHSwpK966r73NE4EJs2eA6p2UUldjxdNoXJZVp0OuISbEPG0EZZwI8M7Xd_KSLbju9DeB8zr8cj1p2l0MrCJ2Hk_cOJov1E1fCUx5C0RGv3pq7GKsX8hOC9sHp8Zw/s320/DSC00061.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5163586151945943538" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho3c5YMfIsqctGLlNR0aptHcNDG8UJSlyzgcn8UaPIEOgXYJuacaIOz9TmLUFNVlBmBD3EzMH_LjxG1kmG7mxOupa8qgznD_NbvHpwcfn0qH6wRxfumJYTAvlA6rKk6StSS7AcVp1y-7Q/s1600-h/DSC00069.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho3c5YMfIsqctGLlNR0aptHcNDG8UJSlyzgcn8UaPIEOgXYJuacaIOz9TmLUFNVlBmBD3EzMH_LjxG1kmG7mxOupa8qgznD_NbvHpwcfn0qH6wRxfumJYTAvlA6rKk6StSS7AcVp1y-7Q/s320/DSC00069.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5163586160535878146" border="0" /></a><br /><div>So today was a trip to the Otago Peninsula which is just a short distance from Dunedin. In fact, Dunedin lies at the base of the harbor going out to sea. To drive to the tip of the harbor takes about 45 minutes. </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>We first drove out to the Albatross Colony which is the only remaining colong in the world. Apparently these birds are at risk of becoming extinct and New Zealanders, especially those in Dunedin, are extremely proud of their Albatross. We then took a trip out to the Pacific where we were able to get out and walk down to the beach to see yellow-eyed penguin, sea lions, and fur seals! AMAZING!! They were so cute and I have some amazing videos of these animals on here for you. It's so strange to see the penguins walking in from the ocean, up onto the land and then mingling with the sheep! </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Tomorrow is Waitangi Day so it is a holiday for everyone here. It appears as though it is similar to Labor Day as every store is having sales, etc. A brief history from google "Every year on 6 February, New Zealand marks the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840. In that year, representatives of the British Crown and over 500 Maori chiefs signed what is New Zealand’s founding document. The day was first officially commemorated in 1934, and it has been a public holiday since 1974"</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Here are some penguins and other sights!</div>Kiwi Lexiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15624259744301905837noreply@blogger.com1