Scotland day 1: arrive to Scotland

We nervously went to the airport for a 455pm attempt at delta one Msp to ams. We were 3/4 with 3 seats open. Got to the airport and check in one hour and two minutes prior to departure. Dropped my commissions checks off at the wings financial in the ticketing hall and headed to our gate. Within an hour there miraculously was one more delta one seat that appeared! We were 3/4 with 4 open. And we got it! Delta one across the pond on Matt's benefit. We each ordered a 12year mccallan to commemorate the scotch tour we were planning on doing. We also each ordered the lamb chop. Yumm yumm. Slept for a few hours and before we knew it we were in ams 1 hour early. We landed at 730. We were planning on taking the 9 to Aberdeen or the 10 to Inverness; both however were red. We noticed on the departure board the flight to Edinburgh was leaving in 20 minutes and just down the hall. We got to the gate and te agent said if we could list for the flight we would have a seat. So 17 minutes prior to departure we listed and had seats to Scotland! We were together too. Quickly booked a car so we had some sort of plan ($140) One hour and a half after 7 hours to ams and we were in Scotland! We deplaned on an exterior stairwell and waited a bit for customs to open. Got through no problem. Matt changed and I booked a hotel near a few northern highland distilleries.

We got our car, it was 930am Scotland time or 330am Msp time. The lady recommended pitlochry as a small town for lunch on the way north to Inverness. About an hour from the airport. So we were on our way. Driving on the other side of the road and a stick. Made it to a distillery Blair athol. Looked around the pretty setting and stopped by the visitor centre before continuing onto pitlochry. Pitlochry is a small town with a river and dam. It had a cute Main Street. We found a car park but had no small change to pay the meter. 15 minutes free. So we walked down to the dam, checked out the fish ladder and then back to the car. Reupped the 15 minutes and then went to the toilet and checked out a few shops before continuing our way up to speyside. We stopped at the dalwinnie distillery, the sister of Blair athol which is also the highest distillery in Scotland resulting in only losing 1% evaporation where most others lose 2-3% evaporation. Pulled up to dalwinnie and we were exhausted. We both tilted the chairs back and took a solid half hour cat nap. I ordered a tasting tray. Not knowing much about scotch, it was scotch. We then continued our way to a hotel near the glenfiddich distillery. We arrive about 330 only to learn the distilleries close around 5 and taxis are super expensive. The hotel was a small bed and breakfast and we were the only guests. And it was quite a sleepy town, we decided we had time for two distilleries. Per the hotelier recommendation we went to glenfarclas. They had some bottles dating back to 1920. There were some rowdy tourists that took over most of the tasting room. We sampled a couple and then went on to glenlivet. Being hungry we were hoping for a little something just before we make it back to our hotel for dinner. Arrived about 20 minutes prior to closing. No bakery items looked appealing. But we sampled a twelve year executive which only is available in Asia. It was pretty good. Matt picked up a couple minis to bring back and we were on our way to the hotel for dinner. He ordered a steak pie and I ordered a venison sausage and mash. The food was delicious. Before long we were ready for bed at 8pm. 930a breakfast the next morning and then continue to check out the distilleries.

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Scotland day 2: distilleries and Jens!

Work up to the alarm at 9am after sleeping all night. Showered quick and headed down for brekke. Ham bacon eggs were ordered (typical Scottish breakfast). T was very good then we were on our way. Distillery list includes dalmore, benromach, glenfiddich, and mccallan. It was an hour twenty north to dalmore. We passed signs for Loch Ness, didn't realize it was so far north. Made it to dalmore and went into the tasting room. The 12 year was very smooth. We joked with the server she used to be a nurse practitioner onboard ships off the coast of New Orleans. Sampled the king Alexander 3. 5£ of deliciousness. So good. A 750 is only £160. Then we were off. Next stop benromach, SWANNY's favorite. The visitor centre there was very new. It also happened to be whiskey weekend so the malt whiskey trail had events at different distilleries. We picked up some items from the distillery and then continued onward. Glenfiddich was next. We ordered a 15 year and their IPA cask scotch. Super good with the bodes of citrus from the hops. We stopped at balvenie who's grounds are very pretty and tucked away in the woods. Then made it to mccallan. Ordered a couple drams from there before returning to glenfiddich as we wanted a 200ml to welcome Jens with. 3 hours drive to dunfermline; a city that popped up on Edinburgh within a half hour to the airport with cheap hotel rooms. Drove through Aberdeen and Dundee (but not in time to see the Antarctic ship discovery). Picked up our typical gas station grub food and continued. And then got some premade sandwiches from a coop that was pretty good eating on the coast of Aberdeen. By 830 we arrived to our hotel. And got checked in. Jens to arrive about 10pm. We walked the Main Street looking for food and found a döner place enjoyed the döner in the car and then were off to find Jens. Filled up at a gas station. Managed to find Jens and back to the hotel. We stayed up chatting until 130 and split the glenfiddich

Peru day 6: return home

Woke up at 8am for quick brekke consisting of an omelet and toast. Did a quick finally walk around the town and then we were in our taxi to the airport to catch a noon flight. Made it to the airport by 1030. Checked out bags in and went through security. Got seats and we were off. Made it to Lima 10 hours before the first flight we could try to make. Only got 30minutes of free wifi. I ordered some Chinese dish and matt ate a bite of leftover chicken sandwich from the train the night before.... which after smelling it was wretched. So then he bought a Peruvian burger. Then we walked around the airport and found a cherry berry with free wifi. Got a 3$ dessert and the wifi code and were set. We eventually moved outside the place but just outside the place and connected to the wifi all day.

Missed the United ewr flight by 3 seats. Then we're deciding beteeen delta (frequently payload optimized) and united coach coach to Iah. Listed on both as we had a shot at first to atl but got a row to ourselves on Iah so we called that good enough which good thing we did because the delta flight weight restricted and only 7 people got on wii 27 open seats. We were 10-11. Settled into our row of three and passed out. Oh yeah, matt got food poisoning from that bit of sandwich he ate. He puked his brains out before we got seats to Iah. And his dinner. Then had some anti nausea meds. Anyway. Landed in Iah, caught a forty five minute connection and were home by noon

Peru day 5: Machu Picchu!!!!!

Woke up at 7, consolidated our things and packed our hiking bag. Went down to brekke where we met a retired American flight attendant and her husband. Had a ham and cheese sandwich a banana and 2 fried eggs. Then a little after 8 we were off to find the bus. Hopped in the line which took about 10 minutes--luckily we already had tickets and up the mountain we went. About 30 minutes door to door with multitudes of switchbacks and narrow roads and no guardrails. Then we entered the park. Up and to the left as the girl from the Irish pub recommended. We followed circuit 1 to the guard house to get our money shot without a ton of tourists in the background. Bam. Done! Followed the walkway in the direction of the sungate and saw some alpaca/llama and then passed through the streets of the ancient town to find the waynapicchu hike entrance. 2 hours round trip... up the tall mountain in the background. In line at 954 and through the entrance at 1000. This hike was killer. One hour uphill the entire time. Narrow steps and many switchbacks. We had numerous catch our breath stops and shared a slimfast bar we snuck in. Must of te strap areas had a steal rope to hold onto. The views from atop were insane. Machu looked tiny. We took alotnof photos and then started the hike down. Through a narrow cave and aa steap staircase. Slow going down the hill side stepping most the steps down as my feet were more than double the width of the step. Met an Aussie couple on their honeymoon who speant 5 days hiking the inca trail prior to this. They also did ethe two hour hike up the route to the gates. Yuck. Anyway. Made it down in 45 minutes for a tidal of 2.03 speant on the mountain. At this point our legs were shaking and we were starving. Found our way to the bus line which was about 20 minutes and we were on our way down. It was everything I thought it would be aside from the tallest mountain hike.

Made it down in about 20 minutes and saught out a restaurant along the sacred river. Found one and split a cheese curd guac appetizer, I had a beef and pesto noodle dish and matt a chicken bow tie pasta dish and then we walked through the markets and back to our hotel to collect our things 330 and we weee on the move fo get to the train. Passed through the entrance and found our train no problem 2 hour train ride and then we hopped onto a bus for another two hours. The bus dropped us off by a market and by the restaurant we are at the first night with colon in Cusco. I ordered the alpaca and matt a pork chop. Good thing we got there when we did. A croup of 20people young showed up and took all the time. Dropped the postcard for kaylee off and hailed a cab. 15 soules later we were at our hoaral checking into the same room we had preiouaky. Hopefully flying to Lima and home tomorrow.

Peru day 3: travel to Machu Picchu

Woke up at 830; showered packed up and went down for brekke. Special omelet and bread with meat and cheese again. Then we went in search of an ATM. Passed by a market and picked up Bryson a birthday present and then found me an adult alpaca sweater. Matt picked up 2 3liters of water and waited for our taxi driver. 150soules for a ride to ollyantatambo, which is about a 2 hour drive no stops; but he was going to stop along the way. He arrived a few minutes past ten blocked traffic down the one lane road and we quickly loaded all our gear in the trunk and off we were. We stopped at a couple lookouts and then went to an alpaca producer where they demonstrated how they make yarn from alpaca hair. We saw the weaving process, one table runner can take up to 1.5months to create. They use natural things to dye the yarn as well. Then we were set lose to please buy something. Ended up buying matt a hat and me an alpaca throw blanket for 115soules (~35$). This spot also had a cuy (guinea pig house) which held a couple dozen guinea pigs (much cuter before they are baked in an oven)

Continued on our way stopping at a gorgeous overlook of orubamba before continuing onwards. We reached ollyantatambo around 1230; and our taxi driver brought us to the train station to get our train tickets and drop our luggage off so we could venture the town before catching our 430pm train to Machu pichu. Our driver dropped us off at the town square where we found a second floor balcony to enjoy a "happy hour 2x20s pisco sour" soaking in the ruins of the last town of the sacred valley. Then we walked the square and found a woodfired pizza shop overlooking the ruins of ollyantatambo. Finally we still had 45 minutes; we went atop a Panoramic view cafe and had a brownie with icecream and cappuccino for dessert. Finally time to board the train, picked up our luggage, found our carriage, ran into a klm fa who was worried about getting home because of the Air France strike and we were in our seats for the 1:40 minute ride to Machu Picchu town (aka Aguascalientes) we were served a biscotti snack and coffee and I was dozing in and out of sleep trying not to be car sick with the consistent sway back and forth along with the constant change in speed.

Anyway, before we knew it we were pulling into Machu Picchu town. Grabbed our bags and were on our 6 minute walk to our hotel through weaves of merchants selling the same: alpaca sweaters and blankets and table runners and alpaca statues and jewelry. Ended up buying a baby alpaca figure. But made it to our hotel. Nicest hotel I have ever paid to stay in. King size beds, rainshower head blackout shades, wowza it was nice. We then asked for advice from the front desk agent on how to get bus tickets. Buy them tonight! So we set off to buy bus tickets (2h hike up 1h hike down or 20min bus ride each way for 24$. Made it to the bus ticket booth only to be turned away because we didn't have our passports. Also, being 7pm we were worried about the restaurants closing. So we decided on a place that had Mexican and pasta and matt would stay and order the 4x1 pisco sours for 15s while I walked back the 6 minutes to the hotel and back with the passports. Get the passports and get back to the bus ticket station only to have forgotten the cc. Go up 50m to the restaurant to get the cc from matt and back to the ticket booth only to find out they only accept MasterCard. Good thing we had pulled out 250s in ollyantatambo. Paid the 155s and then went to the restaurant to join matt. He ordered me the chicken quesadillas and he ordered himself a pesto spaghetti dish with chicken. His dish was way better than mine. Finished it up walked the markers back to the hotel. Picked up waters and off to early bed for a big day. 7am wake up, brekke, bus around 8am to Machu Picchu waynapicchu hike at 10am train at 4pm to a bus in ollyantatambo. To Cusco by 8 pm to our hostel to check flights and determine a ride home Monday.

Peru day 3- Cusco!

Barely heard Colin leave at five am, then before we knew it it was 830; showered dressed and were down for brekke before they closed. Had a European bread meat and cheese and ordered an omelet special-- onion, mushroom and ham with cheese omelet. Yumm. Then we were off to find a open top bus tour. But before we left we asked about scheduling a taxi with tourist stops along to way to ollyantatambo. 150s and 10am pick up. 3s=1$. Perfect. Off to the town center for a bus tour. 25s and we were united with a group that just started. We did a little walking tour around town then hopped on a city cruiser bus as the open too bus is too big to maneuver the tight streets and 90 degree turns. We went past both churches and a water fountain before heading out of town to hop on our double decker open top bus. Drove past the sachychuea (or something like that ruins) out to an inca shawman house where we put coca leaves in a fire and he removed the evil spirits by hitting us with some green plants and then washed away te evil spirits with some aromatic waters. Got my pictures with a 5 year old inca girl and her baby alpaca (pagame!! She would say if you took a picture without paying her) then off to an alpaca shop, with non stop buy this buy that and then to the Jesus Cristo statue overlooking the town of Cusco and down back into town. It ended up being a three hour tour. Then we set off to find some woodfired pizza; at another ma and pa shop and then to the cocoa museum for for some dessert. We learned about the different regions where cocoa beans grow and the process of getting the cocoa beans out of the pods and roasting them and then separating the cocoa butter from the cocoa powder and then finally tasters the different types of chocolate. We detoured into the cocoa mieseun because it looked like rain. No rain. After the free tour we went back to our room for a siesta. Woke up around 530 and daughter out seledonias mesa; the restaurant recommended by joey. Cuy and soup and a pisco sour and a beer. The soup was a chicken noodle with vegetables and was quite delicious. The cuy-- bakes guinea pig came out head, teeth, ears feet fully intact. Trying to eat it but the skin was practically impenetrable. We were able to get to some of the meat; which was salty and pork tasting. Unable to handle the rodent stares matt attempted to decapitate the thing. No luck. Luckily the soup was filling. After some hearty laughs and a 6$ tip we were done with the food and ready to walk toward old town. Heard some love music and walked up three flights of a cafe and found it. Two rounds of pisco spurs and a lot of Elvis covers and we were ready to retreat back to our hotel after picking up some water. Next morning, wake up pack, brekke and hop in the taxi to ollyantatambo.

Peru day 2: travel to Cusco

Woke up at six, showered, and were ready for our 630am taxi leaving behind my shower toiletries. Made it to the airport through the mess of no rules to follow traffic in ten minutes. Colin matt and I checked in for the 810am flight to Cusco which happens to be delayed until 840; thanks google. Checked our bags and were off to find brekke. McDonald's mcjuevo and coffee for us (7$) and Colin got a traditional Peruvian brekke consisting of a meat sandwich and potatoe fries. Before Lon. We were walking through domestic security and waiting for our seats to be cleared. 20 open and we all got seats on avianca but none together. Oh well. Quickly matt and I booked a hotel in the historic old town of Cusco for 53$/night which actually had three beds in it. Landed in Cusco after a short hour flight and said our goodbyes to Colin after solidifying a taxi. He was going to his treking company, afraid he was a day late for his 5 day trek and no clear explanation and we were off to our hostel. Dropped off Colin and we were on our way to the hotel when he messaged saying he missed his trek and is now on a four day trek the next day. Since we had 3 beds in our room we invited him to crash one night if he wanted. He worked his way to us while I sipped on some coca tea. Dehydration headache from the previous day was intensifying. Colin dropped his bags off and then we went to search out the paddys irish pub. Pisco sours for Colin and I and matt ordered a dark lager. The boys also had a grilled meat and cheese sandwich and I had a quesadilla. Colin met some guys from Australia and chatted about their trek stories. Then to the cathedral square steps. The altitude was causing my headache to pound so matt and I retreated for a siesta while Colin was off to do whatever. We woke up around 530 and headed back into town and tried to ignore the non stop pestering to buy this buy that. We ended up at a beer hall before heading back to the hostel to meet Colin for dinner.

Met Colin for dinner who explained he met a pretty girl on the steps who talked him into an open too bus tour and he bought a few alpaca sweaters and some energy drink. He also had a meeting with his treking company and is now squared away. As we were getting ready to go to dinner at te place joey recommended matt realized he didn't grab his credit card from the beer hall. We had the front desk call down and sure enough they still had it. So now we had to walk always to go get the credit card. We ended up getting sucked into a restaurant that was nearby the beer hall, 2/20s cocktails. I had a flor de caña & Coke and the boys had johnny walker & Coke. We ordered 2 alpaca dishes and a traditional Peruvian appetizer consisting of chicken skewers, chicheronnes, and potatoes. We got chatting with the server who's mother spoke no English and chatted the night away it was quite funny hearing Colin's stupid stories and then the translation reaction. 178s later we were on our way home. Stopped by the market and picked up a couple waters and were off to bed. Colin with a 5 am wake up; matt and I just need to be up before 9 for free brekke.

Peru Day 1-- Travel to Lima

Woke up at seven, checked flights and decided to catch the 9 am to ewr as ewr had more comfort plus seats available and a shot at first class. Packed up our things and walked to the train station. For listed for our flight to ewr and then into our flight to Lima. We noticed an Oo (skywest) employee with a 2014 hire date from ewr to lim : spe, c. Hmmm could it be? Then we looked at the map to ewr list. Same spe,c Oo employee listed. It must be Colin Spencer--Matt's old student he flight instructed with and I went to elementary middle and high school with. Matt texted him quick to which he realized he listed himself on the wrong flight, he meant to list to Iah. But matt talked him into catching the delta flight to ewr and riding down with us. Matt and I got seats to ewr and we were off. Landed in ewr with about 1.5 hours to take off. Picked up some pholly cheesesteaks filled up 1 of the 2 water bottles and patiently waited for our seat assignments. Got 2 seats together in the exit row. Quickly booked a hotel nearby the Lima hotel, and Colin who ended up sitting just across the aisle from us bought a room in the same hotel. Then 7 hours of horrible united service ensued. Would pass through for dinner service and barely ask you what you wanted and the drinks if you didn't answer quick enough you weren't getting anything. But; matt and I watched like 3 movies --pitch perfect 3, wonder, and some WWII movie.

Before long we were landing in Peru. Customs was a joke per usually. Collected our bags and off to find a taxi. 40s would bring us right to our hotel. Done. For checked in. Decent enough hotel and The desk worker ordered is a van for fhe
Morning. We went on a wild food chase. Orders street enchiladas and tacos and retreated to our rooms. 630am cab to try the 8am to Cuzco

New Zealand Day 16:

Woke up around eight trying to make it to the omaka aviation museum by 9 am. Checked out, picked up subway for brekke and lunch and headed to the museum. 60usa$ for us both to see their WWI and WWII exhibits. The replicas and the dioramas looked life like with mannequins. There were about a dozen ww1 planes and heaps of memorabilia. Matt was stoked. After about 45 minutes we went around to the WWII hanger and they too had impressive collections. Had a spitfire and a German scream plane... I forget the name. It they had a three d video of what it would have been like at Stalingrad. Pretty intense. Then about 1045 we were done and packing up for our five hour drive to Christ church along the road that was washed out by the earthquake and is undergoing massive repairs and is only open daylight time. We had to have the car back by tomorrow at 9am... but are trying a 630am flight to Sydney and after hours drop off is an extra 40$ so trying to get the car back by 530. There is an emirates flight to Sydney at 645pm but it's red. Worth a shot.

We drive along the coast. Hit the part of the road that was washed away and meandered through the stop and go of one lane traffic all while the seals were splashing off in the harbor. About 3.5 hours in we realized we were going to be 2 hours earlier than we wanted, so stopped at a vineyard for tasting and a pint. Enjoyed the last of our New Zealand sun on the patio with a rosè and a pilsner.

Arrived to car rental return a little before 4. Had to wait for the one person to have time to mark our car off. Despite bending the hubcap we were good to go and dropped off at the airport awaiting our emirates flight to Sydney. No such luck. There were two seats open but they had to go to the emirates non revs. Luckily the plan was to get a room at the jucy snooze 10minutes walk away so we could walk to the airport in the morning. Got picked up by the shuttle and checked into our room. Picked up some chicken curry and fried noodles from a nearby restaurant and enjoyed that and a couple pints in the "hangout" room of the hotel / hostel. Big open areas with full equipped kitchen and bean bags and picnic tables and all the electrical outlets one could need. Anyway, quick to bed. 4am wake up to try and catch our 630 flight to Sydney.

New Zealand Day 15: Blenheim vineyards

Woke up by 9 to be on the road by 930. Vineyards are open for tastings 10-430 and we were 1.5 hours away. Got packed up and would find brekke at a cafe along the way. Turns out along the way was a solid 45 minutes into our drive before we came across a cafe. Ordered a flat white coffee and a bacon egg and cheese sandwich. While waiting I reserved a room at the bing motel for 80$ and was granted access to it early so we could put our leftovers in it. We also touched base with the wine and bikes lady to pick us up at noon from our hotel. Got our food and. Back on the road. Made it to our motel-- complete with families living there and people under house arrest there. (But it was the cheapest option by like 30$) brought all our things in and within a couple minutes were picked up to go on our self guided biking tour. For 30$ we got bikes helmets locks map and round trip driver. Got to the bikes and after a few safety tips were on our way.

Some wineries charge for tasting-- so those we decided we would buy something from those as it makes the tasting free. Most New Zealand roads are two lane with no shoulder but drivers are pretty good about avoiding bikers. Anyway, on our way with four hours to return-- first stop Giesen; $5tasting fee so we decided to get lunch consisting of a cheese platter and two glasses of the Sauvignon blanc, what Marlborough region of New Zealand is known for. Then we went to Wairau River (free) and beat the rush to Nautilus Estate (free) and then up the road a bit to Forrest. This one was started by two doctors, one of which likes to experiment with non traditional wines. We ordered a 7 glass tasting tray for $7 and a cheese and paytay platter for 16$. Very good. Beat a tour group to there which was nice. Then bikes a bit to Gibson bridge, a ma and pa shop who grows and processes their own. They are know for their Pinot Gris which is not like Grigio. An older couple from north Caroline joined us during this tasting... she's a wino and her brother runs a vineyard in napa. ((Insert eye roll as she wouldn't stop talking and asking obscure questions)) after spending more than 45 minutes at that tasting we then had to start our trek home. Bikes about 5 miles to the next vineyard to find they closed at 4 (it was 403) so stopped into Allan Scott (3$ for tasting) so decided we would buy a bottle for dinner tonight from here. Ended up going with the Sauvignon blanc for $18 and then onto the Moa brewery which happens to be run by the son of the head of Allan Scott. Lol. Ordered two pints and tried finding a place to sit. We were waves over to a table with an older couple. Turns out she's from Minnesota and moved down to New Zealand to be with her partner. Has some good conversation until it was time to head bavk to our pick up site-- 13 minutes away. Pulled up right on time and a little sad we couldn't stay at the brewery longer.

Anyway we were the last to be dropped off heated up our leftover Indian food and enjoyed the evening. Turns out leftovers weren't as plentiful so we ordered green chicken curry from the busy restaurant next to us along with some potstickers. Ten we had to pack up our carryons to fit in the overhead compartments. Tomorrow: drive five hours to Christ church after seeing the Omaka aviation museum. Gonna try and catch a red faced emirates flight to Sydney to try and fly out Monday am to USA. We'll see. Hoping the non rev odds are ever in our favor.

New Zealand Day 14: nelson beach

Woke up around eleven which was amazing. Hotel check out is 10am so we were able to catch up on some much needed sleep. Went to the grocery store and picked up a pie for brekke and some wraps for the beach and were on our way to the center of New Zealand landmark. Which happened to be up a hill half hour grueling hike. Once there we had a great view overlooking nelson and the ocean. Went back down and stopped at the queens garden. Filled with different plants and ducks. Then off to the beach. Got there, no shade. So we went searching for a beach umbrella. Doing a little google work I found New Zealand's equivalent to Home Depot and they had a beach hut tent on their ad. Perfect. Drove 10km there. Found a beach hut rent that folds up quite small for 15$--12usa. Stopped at mccashins brewery for a pint and some of the best chicken nachos I've ever had and retreated back to the beach. We spent about two hours there. Went in the water to my ankles and then was done. On Matt's way back he spotted a man of war jelly fish thing which totally ruined any chance of me going back in the water. Retreated back to our room for a much needed shower and then into town to try and find something for dinner. Indian, Chinese, pizza, bar food.... decided on indian and requested the best chicken and then best lamb dish. I think we got chicken tiki masala and lamb... madras? 15 minutes later we were on our way back to our hotel, pulled the table out to the balcony and enjoyed the amazing food. Also for garlic cheese naan. Oh so good. Food coma pass out. Tomorrow: Blenheim to rent some bikes and hop between the vineyards.

New Zealand Day 13: Arthur's pass to Nelson

Woke up around 9 and had our stuff packed up and out by 10 (usual checkout time here) went to the grocery store and picked up pie for breakfast. (Mine was chili cheese matt went with a steak) and a couple chicken basil wraps for lunch and were on the road. 1 hour to Arthur's pass to do some hiking and then 4 hours to nelson to check in for two nights and relax on the northern beaches of the craft brew capital of the country.

Made it to Arthur's pass through a lot of windy roads parked and did two waterfall hikes (punch bowl falls and bridal veil falls) before heading on our way. Skipped the north west side of the island as we wanted a few days in nelson to relax in the sunshine before heading home.

The drive was pretty boring and long. Stopped at buller gorge and did the longest swing bridge in the country at 101m. Hiked around the small island and then back on the road. Found numerous places in nelson with vacancy so tried to book one near the town center. Paridiso backpackers and motel or was. 270nz$ for two nights (about 100$usa/night) but the room had air conditioning!!!!!! Our car mind you has worked and gotten us this far-- however it doesn't have air. So the hot and ozone free sun rays make it unbearably hot during our 4+hours of daily driving. Anyway, checked in for the ac going and went to the free house pub for a pint and ended up buying dinner -hamburger and Rueben there. Took awhile but our food finally came and. Was gone in. I time as we were starving. Went to Vic's Mac brewery which was just a pub that only served Mac beer. Had a pint and chatted up with the bartender a bit. Then back to our room for some much needed sleeping in and not having any alarm set whatsoever. Tomorrow: center of new Zealand hike, queens garden exploration, and beach day!

New Zealand Day 12: glaciers

Woke up and packed up our stuff and were out by 10am. Stopped at subway and grabbed a breakfast and lunch footlong as we knew our day was going to be a lot of driving and we were off. Eyes set on monro beach to see some fjordland crested penguins and then fox and franz Josef glaciers. West side of the island is quite wet and rainforesty. The drive on haast pass was very windy with multiple one lane bridges and stops for one way traffic and road construction. But an hour and change we were to the west coast. Drove up to the monro beach pull off and started our hike to the beach. The book says 30 minutes one way and it was a solid thirty minutes and we were moving quickly. And then it started raining. By the time we got to the beach it was downpouring. We were there for maybe a minute before we decided we weren't going to see a penguin and started our half hour walk back to the car still being dumped on. Lol. Whoops. Fjordland penguins are very hard to see as they are out to see for months at a time and only return to shore to nest or to moult. I had my rain jacket on matt did not. He was soaked. Changed into some dry clothes and were on our way to fix glacier.

Hiked the half hour rock hop to a straight up hike only to have the rain start again and clouds close in. The glaciers in banff were better. Hiked down the half hour return in our sandals because why get your tennis shoes wet and back in the car. Stopped for a coffee in the town of fox glacier and decided where we were staying that night. Found a hotel on hokitika 2 hours north (4pm currently) drove to franz Josef glacier and did the 20minite return rock lookout. Again the glacier was tucked away. Both glaciers are on rapid retreat. The clouds made this one almost impossible to see. But we saw it. Cross it off the list.

Back in the car and hurriedly off to hokitika. Arrived at 7 dropped our car off at our bungalow and started our walk into downtown. Ordered pizza at fat pipi pizza-- the trex: all the meats topped with a sweet BBQ sauce. And 2 spaights. Yumm. The one nice thing about this town and the west coast is the sunsets. Picked up a couple beverages and watched the sunset over the ocean. Walked back to our bungalow and across the way was a glow worm dell--- they had glowworms in the trees and you could see them for free! Not as brilliant as the waitmo caves on the north island but they were cool. Then retreated to bed and called it a night. During the day there was a thrifty traveler mistake fare nationwide to Auckland for 350$! Y'all missed out if you didn't see / book that! Anyway--Tomorrow: Arthur's pass up to nelson. A lot of driving.

New Zealand Day 11: glider & wanaka

Woke up and packed up our stuff and were on the road by 9. Picked up brekke from McDonald's to eat on our two hour drive out to omarama for Matt's glider flight (happy birthday). Passed through a bunch of vineyards on the way but we were pressed for time so didn't get to stop.

Made it 10 minutes early, met his instructor and went down to the grass runway. He got fitted into his parachute and put into his glider and before long was being tied to his tow plane and was off. 345$ for 30 minutes. I went back to the office and waited while he mostly flew the glider after release up to touchdown finding thermals and different spots to generate lift. About forty five minutes later he was back and we were on our way to the west coast. As the glider flight was a 4 hour detour we stopped for lunch in the town of wanaka. A lake town known for some hustle and bustle. Grabbed a deli sandwich and discussed our remaining itinerary. Next day is glacier day but the towns on the west coast are quite small with not many accomodations. So we decided to book a lake front room and enjoy the beautiful day in wanaka. Paid back the lavender farm lady who had no service for cc and just gave us our coffee and lemon cream cheese muffin by depositing what we owed into her bank account and then checked into our 1br with a kitchenette lake view chalet room. It was quite nice. We hung out in the room until about 6 when we started looking for a place to eat. Woodfords pizza truck.... Mexican... Indian.... settled on Thai. I got chicken pad Thai and matt got green curry. Oh so good. Brought our own bottle of wine for 5$ and enjoyed the food in the restaurant with no ac and no food airflow. 🤦‍♀️

After dinner we walked the lake and retreated to our room. Lots of driving tomorrow to fox and Hans Josef glaciers.

New Zealand Day 10: queenstown

Woke up at 930 hoping the hotel we were in had a room available for the next night and we didn't need to pack up and be checked out by 10... no luck. Sold out. It amazes me how all these hotels have no vacancy.... and the ones that do are 200-400$ a night. Anyway while still with wifi I worked some magic and found a lakeview room nearby for 150$usa. Check in starts at 2pm. So we quickly packed our things and loaded into the car and dropped off the key at 1002. With 4 hours to spend inside our car, we drove an hour up to glenarchy, grabbed a cup of coffee from the general store and went down to the lake. It was pretty. Next stop, the ski village at the remarkables. Time 130. Got about 6km up the winding roads before we were stopped for construction. For out of the car and hiked up a small hill for a fantastic view of downtown and airport. Took a couple snaps and then decided to turn back around. Per the book and construction guy the views don't get any better the higher up we go. Stopped at a grocery store for some beverages on our way to the hotel, checked in and marveled at the view we got. Had a few drinks on our private balcony, took a nap, and then headed out for dinner about 7pm. Walked the wharf found a ranch grill with 15$ entrees including a green curry chicken. Ordered a couple pints and a calamari and then the curry. It was super good. Having split the entree we were looking for something else to split, decided on a single hell pizza and picked up a couple walking pints before the stores closed and are our pizza on the sand of the lake. After that we retreated to our lake view hotel room, tomorrow: early wake up to get to Omarama 2hours away so matt can do his glider flight.