Week 3 - World Cup Mania

Hey all - hope your all enjoying updates so far! Here is a "brief summary" of a jam packed week 3 in NZ!!

Saturday 17th Sept - (continued!) Last time I left you guys we were getting ready for the Irish Game against Australia,
We hit the hot tub and then got kitted out in everything green we owned. You will notice that I dont own an Irish Jersey -
upsetting and all as this is, I am going to try and get my hands on one for the Dunedin game. They are not easy come by this neck of the woods!cThe game was unreal (as I am sure you will all agree). Us Irish took over joint in the ski lodge and everyone on our Stray bus got behind the Irish team.
Brilliant win - cant wait for the next one!

Sunday 18th Sept - Travel-tastic day...New Zealand is pretty huge, and roads are not great. We spent the whole day on the go to reach Wellington. Lots of lovely photo stops. This was our last day with driver Gollum who warned us about our next driver - Father Ted. Ex-priest, serious aversion to cursing, and does morning prayers on the bus. Eek. Newho -got to Wellington, met up with our friend Giuiliana and said our goodbyes..She was heading back to UK. We'll miss you!
We found the "fanzone" for the England vs Georgia game. These zones are set up in the big cities for fans to watch on massive screens. I had some loverly cava and that finished off a lovely day in welly!

Monday 19th - 6am start to get ferry to the South Island. 2 x Disney movies later we made it over in one piece. Met this Father Ted - we were all on bestest behaviour! Another long day on the bus to get to Abel Tasman National Park. Very far from everything but so beautiful. Another "no phone coverage" night. We stayed at Old Mac Donalds Farm, never did I ever imagine myself checking into a place call Old Mac Donalds Farm. They were galvinised sheds - with Character! We all cooked yummy dinners and had a few quiet drinks, when Father Ted came into the sitting room and asked us to join us in prayer (wierd or wha!) - at which point he told us it was all a sick joke but our reaction was worth it!

Tuesday 20th - We went Sailing in Abel Tasman, this was really cool, we sailed for 2 hours, had a picnic on a fabuous beach. Then had to WALK for 12.5 km to get back to our farm!! Now the walk was amazing, see pics below, but I was ken-ackered after it!The Laois girls saw the G4 come out in me when they suggested I go to the toilet in the Native Bush. Not able. There are certain elements of roughing it I can adjust to - others not so much! Thank God for Victoria Secrets hand sanitizer!

Wednesday 21st Sept - Off to Greymouth. We stopped off the Marlborogh region for some wine tasting. 2 Dollars for 5 wines - not too shabby! Greymouth - This place was a bit of a backward town. We went to the local brewery. Bad idea letting a load of irish pour their own pints and cider for an hour. Start of a great night though. Took over the local pub/nightclub and then made our way back to Fawlty Towers Take 2 for a well earned sleep!

Thursday 22nd Sept- We hit the road for Franz Josef (one of NZ largest Glaciers). We checked into the Rainforest Retreat and took it handy as we knew what lay ahead the next day...a full day hiking on a glacier!

Friday 23rd Sept - Big day - sun was splitting the rocks (but cold!) and off we went to the glacier. Raingear and crampons in place we trekked for 4 hours up to the top of the glacier, though super small crevasses and  amazing ice blue terrain. Its very cool to say I have hiked to the top of a Glacier. The glacier is melting at such a massive rate they are not sure how sustainable it is. After 8 hours in total, we hit the bar for some vino and Rugby!

Saturday 24th Sept - Another backward town - Makarora. Detox is in order before the carnage tomorrow night with the Irish Game!We stayed in Gaeltacht style accommodation and we had a little Irish Sorority house going on!
There was literally NOTHING to do in this place. Only make the guys nervous about their skydive tomorrow! All Blacks game - they hammered the French. Nothing much to report from this one horse town!

Sunday 25th Sept - Skydive and Irish Game day!! Clocks changed in NZ last night - so mornings are evening earlier now. Grrr. Headed to Wanaka first thing, Noelle, AnneMarie, Kieran, Dan, Lorraine, Denise and Gemma have decided to jump 15000 feet out of a plane. Im inheriting Denise's LK Bennett shoes if the skydive doesnt go so hot!!
Staying in Queenstown for 4 nights now - I can unpack! We were all super excited about Ireland vs Russia game. And even more excited about being in Dunedin next wk for the Ireland Italy game!
Great first night in Queenstown. This place is really is as good as ppl make it out to be!

Monday 26th Sept - Nursing an almighty hangover due to teapots (full of shots) that were drank last night! We went on gondolas and toboganning at the top of a very hight mountain in Queenstown - views were amazing.
Toboganning was a lot of fun - met a load of Irish ppl and had a grand prix of sorts in our little rally cars!

Tuesday 27th Sept - Nice day being ladies of leisure in Queenstown. Managed to set up a group skype call with my mammy, my aunti candy and kaydee! We are all going skiing tomorrow...just getting ready for heading out now. So over and out ;)

Thats all from me this wk!
Keep in touch - so until Dunedin
SJ xxx

Week Two of the NZ Adventure....

Hello all - just a quick note before this starts. I may have set the bar a wee bit too high on the first NZ blog entry! Hope you enjoy week 2!


Friday 9th Sept - Arrived in Auckland on our Stray Bus a whole 12 hours after leaving Wellington. Arrived into the middle of the city into something that looked like Rag week for the whole of Ireland. Great craic though-atmosphere was amazing for the Opening Night of the Rugby World Cup. Went down to the Viaduct to watch the fireworks. NZ were playing Tonga. Note - Tonga is not on my "to visit" list - very scary individuals indeed. Met my first "beauty and grace" (hottie) of the trip so far. Irish no less - has girlfriend. Unfortunate. Went to an Irish pub "The Munster Inn". Really good night out, met up MaireAine and Helen - early start the next day was not going to be fun.

Saturday 10th Sept - Off we went to Paihia. This is near the very tip of the North Island in the Bay of Islands. This place was fabulous, as part of the trip we went on an amazing cruise around the bay of islands. This is somewhere I could live, most expensive accomodation in New Zealand at $15000 a night! Marie has been hired by Bord Failte New Zealand for the lovely picture she takes.
(Keep an eye out for an album on Facebook for her ad photos coming soon!).

Sunday 11th Sept - The usual ridiculously early start. Off to Cape Reinga - the most northerly tip of New Zealand. As with most places in New Zealand - this place was breathtaking. Its where the Tasman Sea meets the Pacific Ocean. Very cool. Then we went off Sand Boarding - I was slightly hesitant (understatement), but this was class. Once was enough though - small bit on the scary side.Then it was back to the Pipi Patch (our flash-packing accomodation) to watch the Irish Game. Wooohoo -  go Ireland.

Monday 12th Sept - Lie in!! This is massive for us - and having our own bathroom. Loving the Pipi Patch. Nice ole lazy morning around Paihia and then we headed back to the big shmoke (Auckland) in the afternoon. We stopped off at a bird hospital (Katie you would have died!) on the way back. We met a kiwi bird - awful cute altogether. Then back the Base Auckland for the night. Irish team were in Auckland....hold us back!!! All of us put the effort in getting ready for our night out *just in case we would meet some of the Irish team! And we did! Met up with Sean and Isaac in an Irish Bar. Photos to follow. I promise.
Sean has told Tommy Bowe that Im a small bit in love with him. Dunedin is going to be awkward. Oh well - he will look pretty in a profiler if nothing else! Back to base for a few hours sleep. Dont remember actually even getting sleep and dont start me on the top bunk challenge after a few drinks. There is a reason bunk beds are normally used by children!!! Awkward as hell. Then up at stupid o'clock for the Stray Bus to Raglan.

Tuesday 13th Sept afternoon - Arrived in Raglan - a really cool surfer town. We were staying in a lodge called Kaoiri Lodge. Very nice and in the middle of nowhere. I chose to sleep my hangover off instead of bush-walks or surfing! Then it was off to the Sauna to Bake and detox. We had a massive BBQ and really got to know our other stray mates. In particular the rest of our Irish Posse - Lorraine, Gemma, Michelle and Denise. Late night. Early Start. These early starts are not getting any easier AT ALL.

Wednesday 14th Sept -  Raglan to Maketu. We made our way to Waitomo Caves. I am so not the "extreme sport" type of gal - but cos everyone was being adventurous I decided to jump on the bandwagon.The rest of our gang did abseling in the caves. About 20 of us did the "tumu tumu toobing" - this involved caving. Through pitch black and very tiny holes in the cave. Scary.co.nz. At one point in the cave there was only an inch of space between the top of the cave and the water level. 4 hours of serious adventure - it was a lot of fun, but very scary Im not gonna lie! Not the "lazy river" I thought it was gonna be!
After our adventures we made our way to Maketu - a Maori Village. We stayed in the Marae that night - to learn all about Maori culture. The lads learned the Haka (apparently girls are not allowed do it :( ) we learned the girl version!!
Then it was time for our massive sleepover! All 30 of us sleeping in the "Marae" - their local dance hall. Great Craic - brought me way way back to my girl guiding days. PS - has anyone else noticed I am totally getting used to roughing it...And I am not moaning at all!

Thursday 15th September - Had a small lie in - 8am start to head to Taupo. On the way we went through Rotorua and tried our hand at Zorbing. Best fun ever. Picture - me and AnneMarie in a massive inflatable ball. Then add soap and water. Closest thing to feeling like I was in a washing machine. Then roll down a hill at some speed! Rotorua has a lot of geo-thermal activity, so lots of hot pools and mud pools. We stopped in a natural hot spring stream. In we went - bikini clad into a mucky stream, it was roasters.
Picture the boggy creek in the movie Shrek, something like that!
Tonight our accomodation was the Urban Retreat. Vera posh hostel indeed. Decided to visit the local gym...the Irish team are training there in a few days. Small world! Couple of $3 dollar vinos and off to the Irish Bar. Didnt imagine the hangover would be as bad. But wine out of a carton couldnt be good for you.

Friday 16th September - all of us headed off to Blue Duck Lodge. This place is tucked away in the New Zealand Bush. 2nd Day in 3 days with no phone coverage. Its very cool though - very removed from all techonology! It is a eco-farm type place. Accomodation was lovely and we went "tramping" for three hours. Tramping - is hiking btw ;) . Watched the NZ versus Japan game...all us Irish were supporting the underdog...little good it did them! We are all getting very psyched for the Irish Game tomorrow

Saturday 17th September - All packed up and off to Tongariro National Park. Still in middle of nowhere - this place has phone and internet connectivity tho! Chilling out for the day in front of the fire (weather still baltic) - and we are all getting ready for the game tonight. AAAhhhhhhh very exciting.

I have attached a random selection of photos from the last week! Until next week...SJ xxx

Week One - OTF (OH THE FUN)

Blog Update week 1

Travelling Day arrived on Friday 2^nd September – not sure if it was nerves or excitement but I was a basket case! Got to Dublin Airport and made my 1^st travelling “friends” – a couple in their eighties who took a shine to me and were off on their hols to Sunny Beach in Bulgaria – hilarious. Anyway..long flights ahead – Dublin-London, London-Singapore, Singapore-Sydney, Sydney-Christchurch. Met loads of ppl on each flight that were travelling too – most over to NZ for the RWC – who woulda thunk this Rubgy was so popular?? (note – I should really get more “into rugby”).

London Singapore Flight – 13 hours, 4 bottles of wine and a very loud  Ozzie beside me. I was delirious – could do with a valium. Only to get on another over night flight straight away to Sydney – 2 more bottles of wine and same annoying ozzie. Oh mo dhia. Although the two big rides on my right made up for it – mutes though- so no craic out of them. Got to Sydney and double check my bag was going to Christchurch (you will see why later on!) – and it was.

Got to Christchurch airport and picked up my matching luggage..yes I am getting a bit of abuse about my “non-backpacking choice of luggage”. Oh well. Trisha Mulvey and her BF Brady picked me up – IM HERE!! Went shopping for the day. Landed back to the hostel  that night – Kiwi Base Camp. See I dont think I really thought about the “roughing it” element of travelling. I can count on one hand the amount of hostels Ive stayed in...EVER. Uh Oh. Its a new experience to say the least – and Im gonna suck it up! Anne Marie, Marie, Noelle and Kieran were arriving the next morning.

Next day – got my “welcome to NZ” banner at the ready...no sign of my travel buddies for about an hour – not good. Poor Maries bag didnt arrive. This gets a paragraph of its own later! Back to base camp for all my sins with the gang – rocked into our new room, well not-so-new – the room looked like something on the Gaza strip. I actually had to ask the owner was I expected to put the bunks together and make the bed! Im sure I will see the funny side some day.

Tuesday 7^th September – we started our “Stray Tour”. We are going on a tour bus of north and south island finishing up in Dunedin for the Irish Game against Italy. 1^st stop “Kaikoura” – this place was breath-taking, very picturesque. Following in the theme of tenement-style accommodation – tonight we were staying in Fawlty Towers. Funny though – this place had character. Spent about 8 hours of this day on the phone to simple-tonys employed  by Jet Star to get Maries bag. I thought for a while we were being punk’d with some of the people we ended up talking to. We gave up – and decided to head to the airport tomorrow in Welly.

Wednesday 8^th September – Up crack of dawn to head to Wellington. Not getting used to Packing – unpacking- packing –unpacking every day. Candy – you would LOVE this trip. We get to pack and unpack every 24 hours. 3 hour ferry to Wellington on the North Island. Again fantastic views – this place is really pretty and not sure if I mentioned but the people are just so nice. Arrived in Windy Wellington – staying at Nomads. Of Course I got landed with the top bunk again – got altitude sickness up there –seriously no need for the 10 foot high bunk! Off to Welly Airport to show them who is boss and get Maries bag ( I feel like I have spend 80% of ma holidays in an airport). Put on my “Dont mess with me” face – not attractive but necessary all the same. Got bag on a late night flight to Wellington from Christchurch. Camped out and survived on caffeine till it arrived. The bag is HUGE. Marie is tiny. This can only end in tears of the funny kind. She has to reverse most places. Did I mention I love my wheelie ;)

Thursday 9^th September – had to move hostels – night of mary. Getting used to roughing though – Im complaining FAR less! Got settled and layered up (yes mom – getting great use out of your North Face) – its baltic in Welly. Tan has disappeared – tear L. We had a “Báners Day Out” – did lots of touristy things – museum, cable cars and a few playgrounds. If you dont find me in a New Zealand Airport – I will be checking out what the local playgrounds have to offer. They are very cool.

After all the mandatory touristy fun – we hit the Irish pub. Two glass of vino later – my phone rings. None other than the lovely Sean O Brien (for all you non rugger people out there- thats the Irish Rugby player). I know him from home – and he has kindly arranged that we are going for coffee with the Irish team in a few weeks. I thought Noelle was going to spontaneously combust. It was hilarious. We seriously need to prepare her for meeting these people in person and not just on the phone...breathe in breathe out! So watch out guys – might get an aul picture with Tommy Bowe the big roide.

Friday 9^th September - On a 12 hour bus journey to Auckland – hence the big blog entry. Until next week my lovelies....xo xo SJ

PS - blogging is only one way communication - so text messages, emails and facebooks always welcome! My NZ number is 00 64 221 548 449

Twas the night before travelling...

Hello all,

So the time has finally arrived..im sitting on my bed (well as mom will point out - I dont have a bed in Ros Caoin) - im sitting on A BED at home in Gtown ready to embark on my travels. Pretend rucksack (with wheels) - check. Packed - not check. NZ is "apparently" freeze-tastic at the moment. So one side of my wheelie has fricking winter clothes in it. The other side - the unpacked side is full of Oz wear...bikinis n what not. Cannot believe how unorganised I am...yet I am still typing here at nearly midnight the night before I head away.

Drama in Gtown today...Marie calls me from the shticks and internet-less in Scariff, Clare to tell me she got a pre-trip reminder about our hostel for the Dunedin leg of our Journey...this is about the size of Salthill and accomodation is next near impossible to get. I said great...why are you telling me this - we are going there on the 3rd October. Crisis numero uno - Marie accidentally booked it for 3rd n 4th Sept. I forgive you Marie - a skype call later and we are all sorted. Twas funny tho..and something tells me I better get used to creating drama and solving it just as quick ;)

Back to travels..leaving tomorrow morning from Galway..bus to Dublin airport. Flying out at 5pm.

Flying Dublin - London - Singapore - Sydney - Christchurch! Arriving two whole days later - and getting picked up my the lovely Trisha Mulvey. Staying and Kiwi Basecamp. Ps - no idea why I have signed up to stay in hostels. Not able.

I really need to go pack now...oh mo Dhia - there is just not enough room. Also little Rachie started Naoinra today and Emily is in communion class...Mom I am back for the communi-con. I promise.

I will do my bestest to update the blog weekly and keep you informed of our travels.

XOXO
SJ