Wanaka!

This weekend we went to Wanaka, NZ! I forgot my phone and couldn't take any pictures. :( However, I eventually found someone that could take some pictures for me. :)

"Strap yourself to a beautiful stranger."--Skydive Lake Wanaka

Here goes nothin...

No turning back now...

 

Holy flippen moly!

Don't think...just do!

LAND!

We made it!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kia ora from New Zealand!

Hey y'all! I know it's been ages since I've last posted...sorry about that! Here's what you've missed! Three weeks ago we decided to hang low in Alex; it truly was relaxing to sleep until 10...and then spend some cash in the shops throughout the town. :) The following week, Ann Pierce, our ISU supervisor came to visit us!! Yay!! A piece of Iowa! It sure was nice seeing a familiar face and hearing that we were missing out on the chilly weather. Throughout the week, Ann bounced around the Terrace school and observed us teaching the kiddos. Ann told me, "You are always teaching. Not just in your lessons, but no matter the situation you are always taking your students to the next level." Sooooo...I guess things are going great over here! :)

Anyway, back to the traveling...Ann came with us on our weekend travels! We drove to Cromwell, which is a short drive from Alexandra. We took a shot of wheat grass....supposedly it's great for you; but sure enough, it tasted like the smell of grass. So yeah, probably my first and last shot of grass for this lifetime. After receiving all the nutrients and energy from the shot, we hit the road to Mt. Cook! Once we arrived we did heaps of trekking (a.k.a. hiking). We were able to see legit glaciers and wow...breathtaking. New Zealand is so unique and it seems to change every kilometer you drive! All in one little country, you have the ocean, fiords, dang-near deserts, rolling hills, mountains, and many more things waiting to be discovered. 

Hmmm....wheat grass.

Love this girl and view!

Mt. Cook!

Our view from our room! Love, love, love Mt. Cook!

The gang!
Mariah, Alison, Katie, and Ian

This weekend we went to Queenstown! We had a night out on the town Friday night, and got up early for a Starbucks run. Yay for coffee! After taking in some caffeine, the gang walked around Queenstown and did some shopping. Around 1:30, Mariah and I hit the road for the Dart Stables in Glenorchy, NZ. Yes, stables...we went horseback riding in flippen New Zealand. We rode on Bailey (my horse) and Drum (Mariah's!) throughout the mountains and across three rivers. Eeeeck! We were able to view some of the areas the Lord of the Rings and Hobbitt were filmed. The ride lasted just over two hours and I'm definitely feeling it today. Ouch!

The view of our home! I love Alexandra.

The clock of the town!

The Remarkables in Queenstown!

What we did on our trail! It was ammmmmazzzzing!

Neigh.

It was such a wonderful day!

Bailey and me!

A dream come true! Horseback riding in New Zealand!

Well...I hope you all are doing well. I miss you all soooooo very much! Cheers! :)

Love always,
Al

Destination: Dunedin...Weekend 2

Destination: Dunedin, NZ. Big Al's behind the wheel.

 

Right before the bunkers!

Sooooo, the trail went through a pasture full of sheep?

Holy huge!

Just a view on the hike!

I love NZ.

Sandfly Beach!

Just getting mentally prepared for the hike back up the mountain.

This picture does not do any justice. #Sandfly

A sea lion!!!! :)

Allan's Beach!

Baldwin Street!

Moeraki Boulders!

This weekend we went to Dunedin and stayed at the YHA Hostel/Pool House. It was great to shoot a game of pool while mingling with some of the locals! Later that evening, Andy and Steve (the locals) showed the four of us around the town’s Octagon--a.k.a. the town's night life made-up of eight streets that are connected. The next morning we hit the road for the Otago Peninsula! We stopped in the little town, called Portobello, and grabbed breakfast at a café. The owner gave us numerous ideas about places to hit up for the day. We went to Allan’s beach, saw bunkers built in the 1890 from the Russian invasion, and hiked numerous trails! One of the trails headed to Sandfly Beach; once we made it to the beach we saw heaps of SEA LIONS!!!!!!! Anyway, back to the sand trail................it was basically a sand flippen mountain that was 2 km long. It was all fun and games going down...until we had to turn around and climb it. I swear, it was not horrible because I am slightly out of shape. ;) It was just ridiculously brutal. Hands-down, by far the worst idea we’ve had the whole trip; however, the sense of accomplishment when we got to the top was priceless! :) After surviving that day, we went back to Dunedin and I had a meal fit for a king. :) A niiiiice filet steak, cooked medium rare at The Lone Star restaurant. On Sunday we traveled up the coast to see the Moeraki Boulders! 


Hope you all are doing well!!!! Miss you all! xo