Here are the logs for my trip to New Zealand. It's babbly and sometimes there are fragmented sentences and thoughts. Basically copied directly from my travel journal, so excuse the switch in tenses. I'll try to link to any interesting sites/locations and YHAs. Enjoy

December 12, 2003
Where: Mt. Cook & Twizel, South Island
Accommodations: Mt. Cook YHA

We stopped in Cromwell for lunch, which was cool. Nice little place. The drive to Mt. Cook was really long and hot. We were under the very mistaken impression that the South Island was cold. Ha! It was something like 26C (78F) which doesn't seem hot.. unless you are in a car with no a/c. We stopped in Twizel to get a ticket for the Pelennor field tour - $50 per. The 40 minute drive to Mt. Cook was painful in the heat. The YHA is so-so. We killed some time checking e-mails before heading back to Twizel for the tour.

My camera battery died and I'm kicking myself for not having a spare. Argh. Must get one in Methven. I had to buy a disposable camera for the Pelennor tour and I'm not too happy with the shots. Anyway...

Our tour of the Mackenzie farm was guided by Vernon, who was driver during the filming in the area. He basically laid out all the filming stuff and all he saw while he picked up/dropped off people. It sounded really cool and I wish I could remember more of it, but again my brain is like swiss cheese. He explained how they shot the sequences and about the horses - Kiernen and his horse are featured in "Return of the King", third behind Theoden. The Ben Ohu range provided the backdrop for Minas Tirith, even the sharp pointy mountains were added in later. It was all pointed out and Vernon was pretty knowledgeable and everyone should go and take the tour. The tours only started on December 2nd because of some contract and they haven't been able to advertise much.

After the tour we had dinner in Twizel then rushed back to the YHA. Tomorrow we're off to Methven.

December 13, 2003
Where: Methven & Christchurch, South Island
Accommodations: Snow Denn Lodge YHA

Let me just first say that this was the best YHA I have ever stayed at. Best anywhere I have ever stayed. The couple who run are so friendly and the place is more like a home. It's clean. You can do laundry. They give you free breakfast! Forget Christchurch - stay at the Snow Denn!

After checking in, we headed off to Mt. Potts/Mt. Sunday where they built the Edoras set. it's lovely and I wish the set were still there. The gravel roads were a bit much, so we didn't really get any closer than one of the far lookout points. Next time, 4 wheel drive.

Got back to the YHA and did laundry. I took a walk to town to have a look around and bring back something for dinner. While there I got a copy of Pavement with Viggo on the cover and another pewter necklace. Gifts, yes. I'm thinking I'll need to stop at a cash machine at some point. I think getting batteries for my camera has been the highlight of my day. That and basically figuring out what my tattoo is going to look like.

We've decided to stay at the Snow Denn an extra night instead of moving to the Christchurch YHA tomorrow. Allan, the manager, took care of it for us. Yay! I do love this place.

We had dinner outside. I pretty much burned food to the pan. Ick. After dinner we took a drive around and there were the weirdest, creepiest cloud formations. I think Dianna has pictures. I forgot my camera. Did manage to take a couple shots when we made it back to the YHA.

December 14, 2003
Where: Methven & Christchurch, South Island
Accommodations: Snow Denn Lodge YHA

Yay for free breakfast! Last night we arranged to stay at Methven for another night and that tuned out to be a good thing because we went to Christchurch and that place is a hole. Apologies to anyone who actually likes that place, but it really is a hole. It reminds Dee of New Castle and me of Albany/Schenectady. Or an really empty New York City. With the same amount of grunge. I did get a Mazzy Star CD and withdrew some money. Then we hightailed it out of there because it was way too hot and the wind was blowing sand in our eyes.

Dee cooked us a really nice chicken dish... but there was way too much bacon. liekomg!1!! Never again. There is a such a thing. After dinner we took a drive to Mt. Hutt ski fields - which is criminally steep in summer so it must be hella scary in the winter time.

Must get Damien Rice CD.

December 15, 2003
Where: Kaikoura, South Island
Accommodations: Maui YHA

Woke up rather late this morning and had another lovely free breakfast - it was just cereal and toast. We went into town and got a card for Andrea & Allan who run the YHA because they were very nice and it was a lovely place. So off we went to Kaikoura, which wasn't as far as we thought.

Got into town and checked into the YHA. After, you know, we passed it three times because there was a painter's scaffold in front of the stupid sign and there was no signage anywhere else. The place is pretty nice though and the other girl in our room is one of the staff. Looking for something to do, we drove to the Lavendyl Lavender Farm. They distill their own oils and I should have gotten a bottle. I did get a bar of soap for mom. They sell stuff online, though, so I could do that. Then again, I'm pretty sure I'm not going to send my credit card info over an unsecured form.

Back in town, we went souvenir shopping. I found a few I liked. We sat on the beach for a while before heading back to the YHA to shower before heading to the Green Dolphin for dinner. It's a really nice, really expensive place... but really loved the food. Dessert was so nice. And now we are back, relaxing and writing down moments from the trip. Tomorrow we're heading back to Picton to kill the day before taking the ferry back to Wellington.

December 16, 2003
Where: Picton, South Island & Wellington, North Island
Accommodations: Dianna & Stace's place

Woke up lateish today 'cause we've got tons of time to kill before the ferry leaves. The drive to Picton was pretty short - we stopped at Montana wines for lunch. Once in Picton we hit souvenir shops like mad to kill time. I got some more carving-type things, an All Blacks hat, and a little sheep. Also - German fruit drops! I've got to remember to confirm my airline reservations tonight. 'Cause yeah. I hope I have the number...

Oh. My. God. Ferry ride from HELL. I still feel really ill. Halfway through, the boat hit rough water with 2-3km swells and I thought I was going to die... or at least throw up. So. Ill. Once we got to shore and in the car (thank you jerkoff who parked way too close), we parked at New World and walked to the video place to check e-mail and stuff. Also, fresh air and solid ground.

December 17, 2003
Where: Wellington, North Island
Accommodations: Dianna & Stace's place

Trilogy Tuesday! We left around 11am so we could pick up tickets and run some errands. After that we hit Real Groovy where I bought another Mazzy Star album. We had lunch as Fidel's and then made a stop at the tattoo place to make an appointment for tomorrow. Eep! Excited! After killing about an hour at the internet place, we went to the Embassy where we found our seats. Very nice place. The whole assigned seat thing makes it nice and stress-free. We were pretty much in prime viewing position - center seats in the Platinum sections - leather seats!

"Fellowship of the Ring" and "Two Towers" Extended Editions on the "big screen" are faboo! Except there was some issue with the color grading and it was pissing me off. One reel would be blue-ish and the next would be way too yellow. So distracting. After the "Fellowship" showing we picked up out exclusive commemorative items - which are film cells Side Show Weta put in a special.. thing. I'm bad with descriptions. But it's cool and exclusive to the Trilogy Tuesday thing. I traded with Dianna because she wanted the Pippin cell.

And finally... "Return of the King"! Kick ass! Superswank and all that! It is the best of the three. Everything just comes together and I suppose I shouldn't put spoilers here. So I won't. Except to say: Eowyn is a ho. Legolas is poncey as always. Pippin! Merry! Eomer! Pelennor Fields... so kick ass. And basically a big ol' eeeek!

Oh, during "Two Towers," Dee and I cracked up at the scene where Aragorn falls off the cliff. Because... Aragorn's Cliff!! (at Deer Park) We were both trying so hard not to laugh out loud during this most serious scene. Oh, and the part where Gimli & Legolas look over the cliff. I though I was going to break something. That will always be funny to me now. So wrong.

December 18, 2003
Where: Wellington, North Island
Accommodations: Dianna & Stace's place

Didn't end up meeting Sarah. Time was just too tight and it wasn't going to work. Which really sucks. Argh.

Got my tattoo today. Went to Tattoo City in Wellington. I love it! Exactly like what I wanted. Tim, who did my tattoo, also did Elijah & Viggo's tattoos.. I found this out later, so don't think me fangirly. Manu did Dom, Billy, and Ian's tattoos. Manu does really awesome line work so if I ever have a chance to get a tattoo there again, I'm asking for him. It didn't hurt nearly as much as I thought it would. Kind of like a shallow cut/stinging feeling. Definitely knew when he was getting closer to the bone though. Ow.

ACS (my loan company) finally decided to deduct a payment. Yay. Blah. My bank account is getting pretty light.

Dianna made dinner since the thing with Sarah didn't work out. We watched an episode of Hetty and omg! There was a 47! So creepy. I keep forgetting that show was tapped in 1995-ish because it looks like it's about 1980. On the episode we were watching there was all this Internet stuff so I had to stop and thing when it came out. We loves young Dominic, yes we do. When I go home I need to save up money for Lijah DVDs and also Tom McRae CDs to send out to Tominate the world!

Tomorrow, we're going to see Viggo's exhibit, I hope.

December 19, 2003
Where: Wellington, North Island
Accommodations: Dianna & Stace's place

Since Dee is now obsessed with bubble tea, we went to the Asian market an bought some "starch balls" - these were potato and tapioca starch. Let me tell you, it's a bitch to make. All that steaming and boiling and sitting. 3 hour process. Good thing it comes out okay. I wasn't sure what I picked up was right, so I had to ask one of the ladies who worked there. Thankfully, she spoke Mandarin and I had her explain it to me after I told her I could read it. Heh.

We hit Viggo Mortensen's exhibit at the City Gallery. I so love his photos. One of my favorites from SignLanguage was there. Gah. Digital archival prints. Before that we had a quick stop at Dymocks where I picked up a copy of his For Wellington book. At the museum I got 45301 and a copy of the pandemoniumfromamerica CD. Score! Elijah singing like a hyper chipmunk! We had lunch at the Chocolate Fish Cafe, which was totally yum. Then we headed for Massey to see the second part of Viggo's exhibit, but the gallery closed at 4pm, so we're going tomorrow.

Rented a crapload of movies today. $11 for 6 movies - can't go wrong there. Got Deliverance (uhm, yeah), Lilo & Stitch, Sleepy Hollow, Boondock Saints, The Road Home (with Zhang Ziyi), and the Princess and the Warrior. When we got back, I showed Dianna the trauma of Deliverance - Stace refused to stay and watch. I guess it must be worse if you live in wooded areas in America because she didn't seem to phased. Lilo & Stitch.. makes me cry. Shut up. Sleepy Hollow was really bloody and weird... but an interesting spin on one our local myths. Didn't like the whole witch aspect.

Spaghetti and toast for dinner! Yes, Dee, you do talk in your sleep! You do, you do!

Dee seemed to like Boondock Saints quite a bit. Hee! My Irish Boys. We do love the multilingual Irish boys. I think I've converted another to the Saints. Mwhahaha! Will watch the last two tomorrow probably.

December 20, 2003
Where: Wellington, North Island
Accommodations: Dianna & Stace's place

With a late start we headed to Massey University to see Viggo's exhibit there. So envious of his talent. So. Lovely. I love nearly all of his photos. I'm not a huge fan of the grainy ones, but that's more personal preference. Also, where he gets his stuff printed - I want to steal it. Heh. The prints are so lovely and archival! ::is jealous:: Saw a few prints there I would totally buy if I could even fathom affording it - or if there were the vaguest possibility of him doing a good old fashioned art swap. Riiiiight. I could spend all day looking at his work.

Then off to Upper Hutt to sightsee. The Rivendell location at Kaitoke Regional Park? Ugh. It's a nice area, it is, but yeah. Was slightly disappointing. Harcourt Park was worse since we didn't know exactly which entrance to go in and what hill he was talking about. There are a dozen hills there - which one were we supposed to stop at?! Mt. Victoria was much better. I've hopefully got some nice pictures from that area.

Had dinner at the Green Parrot tonight - huge steak. Which I couldn't finish, but yeah. Heh. It's all good. Had some interesting conversations and heard some interesting stories.

We killed some time at the Internet stations. I haven't decided if I'm going to do the whole staying up overnight thing. We'll see how that goes. Definitely packing though. Last thing I want is to have to throw crap in the bag and forget something or find out at the airport that I'm over my 20kgs, which I think is really stupid because they don't consider that I might weigh a bit less than some of their other passengers, so how come you can't compensate? Feh.

After the Internet cafe, Dee and I watched The Road Home, which was old world and sappy. Pretty traditional pacing and storytelling. Arty, definitely. Zhang Ziyi does minimal acting and basically just stares longingly.

Bye, bye, Wellington ;_;

December 21, 2003

Woke up earlier than I have been. Got showered, dressed, and finished packing. Dianna drove me to the Wellington airport and after a short wait, I boarded the tiny craft to Auckland. And here I am waiting for my flight to LAX, which is going to be a bitch. I just spent about $150 on more souvenirs and two CDs. Gah. I will stop now as I don't have any where else to put them.

Good gods, I am so in fear of this flight. Must make a toilet stop before it boards. I don't know if I'm hungry or what but I am really feeling ill. I've got some cookeh tahme! 'Cept I'm eating sugar instead. I dread going through LAX customs with all the crap I have in my bags. Gah.

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