Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas all. I am spending the holiday in Queenstown at a hostel. Several of the other people and I made a sort of potluck for dinner which was nice. Since leaving Te Anau with Shunit we traveled to Dunedin through the southern most route, through Invercargill and the Catlins. Shunit is the Israeli girl that I met on the Milford. We stayed at this hostel in Owaka that was an old hospital. While this was a little creepy it was really pretty cool, several of the beds were old hospital beds. After leaving Owaka we went to Dunedin where we stayed a few days. Dunedin is an interesting city. It was designed with a similar layout to Edinbourgh and has the worlds steepest street. Also visited the Speights Brewery and took the tour. It is one of the few gravity brewery's left in the world. All this means is that the ingredents start at the top of the building and the beer comes out at the bottom.
After leaving Dunedin we came to Queenstown for the night and left for the Rees-Dart track. This track is a 4-5day backpacking trip north of Queenstown sort of near the Routeburn. This track is also not a great walk which makes it a little less populated and more difficult. It was amazing. Hiking through bogs and wading rivers it was incredible. On the second day it was raining lightly and when crossing the Rees saddle it was snowing. It was so beautiful. Day three we did a side trip up to the Cascade Saddle. This day trip takes you by 2 hanging glaciers, by the Dart Glacier, and up to the saddle. Because of the recent snow we were postholing it through knee deep snow in some areas but just as you reach the crest you are rewarded with the most spectacular view. I think it is one of the most beautiful views I have ever seen and the Warden at the hut said it is probably one of the best alpine views you can get without crampons and special equipment.
I think what makes it so amazing is that the mountains are schist so you hike up the gradually sloping side and the saddle is at the area where the jagged edge forms cliffs. The world drops away into a lush glacial valley surrounded by snow capped peaks. There are waterfalls hundreds of feet below fed by the snow melt. It makes one glad to be alive to be standing on the edge of the cliff high above the floor breathing in the beauty.
In my enjoyment I forgot to reapply my sunscreen and wound up with a sunburn. I am still peeling.:)
After leaving the hut we walked 2 days out along the Dart river and returned to Queenstown. Went to dinner with Shunit and Johan (a Dutch guy we met on the trail) when we got back and then bar hopping. Was a great way to end a trek, fun people and to much to drink.
That brings me to where I am today. Tomorrow I am planning on doing a day hike just out side of town then on the 27th to Wanaka.

Leaving Te Anau

I have just finished the Milford Track. It was so amazing it is easy to see why it in such a famous walk. The region is so green and there is so much H2O. You walk through a wetland ecosystem to an alpine down through bush to the sound. Going over the McKinnin Pass you see how geography affects the plant diversity and environment. Also the geology was amazing hiking through various types of granites. On the first night the hut warrden gave a great nature walk talking about the various plants and some of the areas geology and at night showed us several glow worm colonies. Its pretty cool as they look like suspended pin pricks of blue light.

The only downside is the number of sand flies in the area. These little insects are just as irritating as mosquitoes but the bite actually hurts a little more. Was the first time I had to use bug repellent since I have been here. Everyone talks of the rain and how wet it is but we were blessed with 4 splendid days, 3.5 of sun and half of a light drizzle. Aparently last week people had to wade through meter deep water in some areas of the track, thankfully I barely got my boots muddy. The huts are very comfortable with gas cookers and bunk beds with matresses, so it really isnt roughing it.

There is also the option of doing the walk through a guided walk company which is quiet a bit more expensive but all you have to carry with you is a day pack and they provide everything for you.

It is also great how regulated it is so the trail isnt inundated by people and you get to know the group you are with pretty well. I was able to meet loads of people from OZ, Denmark, and other regions. Also became hiking buddies with a couple of women one of which is from Mexico and the other from Israel. Everyone was very friendly which made for a great experience.
Tomorrow I plan on heading to Duneden then working toward Stewart Island.

Te Anau

After leaving Nelson I joined a girl from Germany and one from Scotland to walk the Abel Tasman track. We did the walk in 3 days and while the Tongararo northern circut was nice I enjoyued this walk a bit more, my bag was lighter, I had great company, and the weather was nicer. The water was amazing having hues of light blue and greens. We were very lucky as the weather cleared the day before leaving to go. Unfortunately some of the trail had been damaged by the storm but it was passable. After finishing the Track we returned to Nelson where I met up with my WWOOF hosts.
My hosts lived in Motueka and had 5 goats that I milked in the mornings, a dog and cat. Red is a blacksmith so I was able to learn about using a forge and make a few things. I was also able to make cheese with the goat milk with Sarah. In addition to these projects I helped with the gardening. Had a great time here but had to move on.
I am now in Te Anau where I will leave tomorrow for the Milford Track. It is raining here today but the weather is supposed to clear tomorrow.

Nelson area

Abel Tasman was amazing. The water was an amazing color, the bush was spactular, and the hike was wonderful. there was a number of crossings requiring wading the river and the sand flies were irritating. It was also nice to have some company on the track.
I have made it to my next WWOOfing host near nelson. This place is great this morning I got to milk 2 goats, help Sarah make cheese with the milk and in the afternoon Red started showing me some blacksmithing. Tomorrow I finish the project I started today.
I have also been lucky enough to catch a free spot on the Milford Track. I start the 9th. I'm really excited but it means that I will have to go from Nelson to Te Anau in 2 days. Still have a number of supplies to get before going.

The South Island

I left Wellington Saturday to come to Picton. It was a 3 hour ferry ride across the Cook Strait. While the ride was long it was nice, there was a film playing and amazing views. Also very windy. Stayed a few days in Picton at this great little backpackers that had free breakfast and a sort of chocolate bread pudding in the evening. The pudding is amazing. Decided to try my hand at hitch hiking and so yeaterday I hitch hiked to Nelson. Was picked up by a couple of guys from Taupo that were going on a hinting/fishing trip. It was fun and now I can say I have done it but I dont know if I will continue. It rained all day yesterday so wound up rather soggy after my wanderings, today it is clearing off. Last night met up with a girl I met in Picton and am planning the Able Tasman trip together. Because of the rains several of the trails we wanted to use are closed so we are still figuring out an alternate route. Don't know if I will be able to write more before the 27th so happy thanksgiving everyone.

Wellington

I have made it to Wellington. The first day in Tongararo National Park was amazing with the stunning views and strange landscapes but the second was windy and rainy. I started by doing Tongararo crossing which is a day trek used mostly by the tourists. This trail takes you by Mt Tongararo then down to the Emerald lakes. in the area of the lakes the trail divides and those doing the circut (The Great Walk) leave those doing the crossing. Once off the main track there is almost noone. It was so quiet the only sound came from the wind, there were no birds or other sounds. It all had a very strange feel to it. Just before I arrived at the hut I walked through a valley filled with beech trees. This area was a nice respite from the desolate region before with birds and trees. The hut was nice there was a group that arrived shortly after me and we all ended up playing cards well into the night.
It started raining in the night and didnt let up all day. While it was just a drizzel the wind helped soaked me from the waist down within an hour of starting. I was walking with soggy socks and wet boots for about 4 hours. Well I made it out and had a great time also made a new friend I met on the trail. Also never carry everthing with you figure out a way to send it ahead or leave stuff behind. The bag gets way to heavy.
Yesterday I came to Wellington and am planning on staying here a few days before going to the south island. Today I go to the Te papa museum and for a wander. Hoping my boots are somewhat dried out.

Lake Tarawera

I have come to work for a couple with a place at Lake Tarawera. I came to Rotorua last wednesday and after they picked me up we left to one of their other properties. They have a portion of a holiday park on the Coromandel Peninsula where I began my WWOOFing with them. Joined up with an American couple at the holiday park and ended up doing quiet a bit of painting. Ended up driving one of their cars back and spent some time in Rotorua. The drive was exciting as it was a standard and as I am still learning how to drive one I also had to drive on the left, but I made it in one piece.
Rotorua is a nice enough town but due to the high amount of geothermal activity the entire town smells of sulpher. Ended up just wandering around the town for awhile the comming out to the house. The place I am at now is at Lake Tarawera which is one of the lakes near Lake Rotorua. Unlike the last place I was at there isn't a farm here, there is just maintnence and up keep here. While here the 2 Americans joined us and 2 girls one from Germany and one from Scotland came too. Mike and I have been working on the boat shed, cleaning and widening the door to accomodate the new boat and the girls have been gardening. Several days ago our hosts Mike and Liz took everyone out on their boat to some hot springs on the lake. We also had a barbi on the lake.
Last night we had 3 more WOOFers arrive. The new commers include a French couple and a German girl. Aparently these three have helped them before but now we number 8, which seems a few to many.
I am taking off friday with the first german and the scot to head south and the Tongera (will get proper spelling later) National Park where I hope to do a multiday backpacking trip. I am having trouble connecting my camera for pics but I will try to get some on before I leave here. Also while I said before mail is supposed to take some 3 weeks it is much faster and took about a week so the Wellington address will be good until the end of this week.
I hope everyone is well and enjoying their life to the fullest or life isnt to difficult.

back in New Zealand

I have returned to New Zealand and have come to Tauranga. Tomorrow I am going to Mt. Maunganui and am planing on being here a few days then heading south. I am also trying to find a WWOOf host somewhere between here and Rotorua.
For those who have asked for a mailing address things can be sent to

Tyler Houghton
Cl-Poste Restante
43 Manners st
Wellington New Zealand

the only problem is that anything must go out within the next several days as it needs to arrive in wellington before I arrive and I am unsure of how long it takes, I have heard up to 3 weeks. As of now I dont know which direction I will head down the south Island so I will provide an address when I figure it out. Also please let me know if you send anything so I know to look for it.

Australia

Before leaving Brisbane Sarah and I went to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. This was a pretty neat zoo. Saw dingos, birds, reptiles, got to pet kangaroos and also hold a Koala. The kangaroos and Koala were suprisingly soft and the male koala have an unusual scent that is reminiscent of the eucalyptis trees. After leaving Brisbane we went and stayed with a family near surfers paradise for a few days. This family runs a nursery with all kinds of strange plants.
Indy week or is it weekend I'm not sure was going on in Surfers Paradise. During this event the city closes down streets and sets up a racetrack that runs formula 1 and some other cars but I dont know the types. The city is like a big party there were drunk people on the bus and every corner, streets closed and parades. It was fun but it was good to keep moving. Being unable to find accomodation in town we ended up locking our bags up in the lockers and sleeping on the beach. This turned out to be great as the sunrise was amazing.
Byron Bay was nice but the backpackers was to expensive for a crowded room and funky bathrooms, but the beach was beautiful. And now we are in Woolgoolga. There is hardly a sentence about this town in my guide book so it is small and has a great atmosphere. Staying at a holiday park right on the beach and paying about the same as we would at a hostle. Liked itt so much we are staying 3 nights. Tomorrow night we go to Sydney. Yay for getting to sleep on the bus again.
I have also put new pictures up there are the remainder of my New Zealand pictures and my Australia ones up until now.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2098766&id=27713515
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2101910&id=27713515

Brisbane

So we have made it to Brisbane and are staying with a very nice couple that Sarah met in New Zealand. Between my last entry and today we have seen some beautiful areas and done some fun activities. From Townsville went to Magnetic Island. The beaches were beautiful and there were some beautiful granite outcrops. After leaving Magnetic Island we wound up in Airlie Beach. This is where the sailing trips for the Whitsundays leave from. We joined a 3 day sailing trip around the islands and saw a white sand beach made up of 99% silica and we got to snorkle part of the reef. The reef is amazing the colors and fish are unreal and so vivid. Next we proceded to the small surfing town of Rainbow Beach. It gets its name from the multi colored sand cliffs near the town. yeaterday we were in Noosa Heads and while walking through the Noosa National Park saw a Koala off to the side of the track about arms reach away. It was sleeping in the tree. Will put some pics up soon. Also saw several Kangaroos from the bus so it was a fast sighting. And now we are here in Brisbane.

Townsville Australia

I am now in Townsville Australia. Sarah and I flew into Cairns and stayed for several days. Cairns is ok its a small city but there is to much in the way of partying. with buses taking you to different bars. Yesterday we went to Mission Beach. Mission beach was great with tropical beaches and rainforest. The water is so warm it reminds me of a very salty bath with waves. And that brings me to today. We came to Townsville thins morning and are staying at a very large funky hostle and tomorrow go to Magnetic Island. The Island is supposed to have amazing snorkling and there is a Koala sanctuary.

Going to Australia

Due to a suprising turn of events I am now going to Australia for the next 3 weeks. My traveling companion invited me to join her and I was able to get a last minute ticket so I leave tomorrow. Upon returning to NZ I am planing on continuing my trip where I left off. After traveling around the Northlands we returned to Auckland where I am currently writing. Will post more later as this computer shop is expensive.

Northland

Traveling alone while sometimes lonely is also nice. While in Coromandel town I was able to join up with a Swiss Girl and come up the the northland and Bay of Islands area. The big appeal besides having the company is she has a car so we have been seeing so much more than would have seen from a bus. The new plan is to return to Auckland in a few days where I will take a bus back to tauranga where I left off. This area is amazing the water is so blue and there are many islands. We have come to the southern end of 90 mile beach and are staying in Ahipara. this morning went kayaking in the bay of islands. On the way to Ahipara we stopped at a fish shop and had some fried oysters which were wonderful. Heading south tomorrow to the bigger Kauri Trees and hopefully a kiwi area. time to make dinner.

Moving on

So much has happened since I last wrote. Early last week I went and hiked the Pinnacles. It was an amazing hike through the bush to point where you can see across the coromandel peninsula. I have discovered that instead of providing distances for trails the Kiwis provide fairly conservative hiking times. The whole time thing takes a little getting use to. Saturday morning went to the farmers market to help Brent. and in the afternoon I was able to go to a dairy and help with the milking. This experience furthered my beliefe that cows are among the dumbest animals around. The experience was fun but it also involved getting stepped on shat on and pissed on. My biggest fear was that one of the beasts was going to relieve itself on my head when putting the milking thing on. Brent also introduced me to rugby league. This game while having similar rules to rugby is much faster as it doesnt have the stops and time outs other games have, it is also quiet a bit rougher.
Yesterday Brent and Sue took me to Hot Water Beach. This beach has geothermal springs in the sand, so yolu dig a hole and when it fills with hot water you can soak. It was wonderful to soak right on the beach.
Today I am continuing my journey and have come to Coromandel Town. Spent the early afternoon bicyling around the area. The views are amazing and the water is so blue. I still feel like I am in a dream and will wake up back home soon.
Because I am having trouble up loading pics to this blog I am trying to put them on my facebook so I will provide the link. http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2098766&id=27713515&saved I have also figured out how to recieve mail and will provide an address as soon as I dig it out of my bag. The only thing is that there is a time frame things must be sent by so they arrive in town before I move on.

on the farm

I have been helping on a farm on the Coromandel Peninsula for the past week. The farm is about 15 min away from Thames. The couple I am helping have about 100 chickens that provide eggs, 5 sheep, and numerous apple and citrus trees. So far all I have been doing is odd jobs around the place but yesterday we went to the farmers market. We had a booth with eggs, vegetables, and fruit and a booth with local organic cheese.
Brent took me to watch a rugby league game the other night. It was pretty fun and the match went really fast. It is different than regular rugby and doesnt have all the stopping most games have. The New Zealand Warriors beat the Australian Roosters putting them in the finals.
Today we went to the Karangahake Gourge and did a bit of walking. In the past it was the site of extensive gold mining activity so there are shafts all over the place. The Department of Conservation has made many of the tunnels safe for visitors so there are trails that walk through them. One tunnel parallels the cliff face and has windows cut through to the outside providing light and amazing views of the gourge.

auckland wanderings

I have been wandering around Auckland the last few days and today I went to Waiheke Island. Auckland is a great city with lots of space to wander and friendly people. Went to the museum several days ago and saw some cool Maori things and other numerous exhibits. Yesterday went to the fish market to get things for dinner. Was relatively quiet as far as other markets I have visited go. Went to a bar with a group from the hostle last night too. It was karaoke night, the spelling it weird. They sing the same songs we have back home.
Waiheke is a great island with many tracks for tramping. Ended up walking about 9 miles. Ate lunch on a beach and eventually wound up on a nude beach, or at least it was a beach with alot of naked old guys.
I am trying to figure out how to upload pictures but am currently unable to figure it out so pictures will hopefully come soon.

day 2

I made it yesterday. The airline left my baggage in LA so I'm hoping that it arrives today. Spent a little time wandering arround the area yesterday and am going to go check out downtown Auckland today. This is a short post just to let everyone know that I made it.

leaving

Here is my first post. I am leaving for New Zealand tomorrow, my flight leaves at 3:49 from Tucson and I arrive in Auckland at 6:15am September 9th. I'm excited, nervous, and a whole medley of other things. I still can't believe that I am going to New Zealand, up until this point it has only been a thought in the back of my mind and now I am going. Will try to keep up with this regularly along my trip. Next time I write I will be in another country going where desire and my feet take me.