The gorge
On monday afternoon I arrived in Hokitika. I was the only one to be dropped off by the Kiwi Experience, as Hoki is just a small town, and there isn't a whole lot to do there. I had a special reason to stop in Hokitika though: family! Just before I left Holland I got some information on family around the world. My mums family is really big, and we have quite some family around. I already visited one of my mum's cousins in Adelaide, and now I would meet Connie, another of my mums cousins, and a 2nd (grade) cousin to me.
Connie picked me up from the town centre and at her house I met her two sons: Andrew (11) and Jacques (9). Andrew is into sports a lot, where Jacques like to watch cartoons. They're both awesome boys, and I had a lot of fun talking with them.
Together with Connie on the bridge over the gorge
Jacques goes to the primary school just around the corner of the house. Andrew goes to the high school in town where he plays badminton, rugby and cricket. I had a lot of good conversations with Connie, talking about her side of the family, our travels, life and religion. Later in the evening I also met Graham, Connie's husband who works in town. We went for a stroll around the neighbourhood, then returned home for a delicious dinner. It was really good to be in a home again, with a family. Sweet as!
The next day, after the boys were off to school, Connie dropped me off in town, where I did my tourists duties; strolling around, visiting the Jade factory and information centre. I met Connie again and after a cappuccino she took me for a ride to the mountains.
Me and Jacques
First we went to the Hokitika Gorge, where my jaw dropped: stunning colours that I'd never expected, nature taking me completely by surprise. I was stunned. The water that flows through the is icy blue, the moss and vegetation on the rocks every imaginable shade of green, combined with all sorts of reds and yellows. Nature can be so beautiful, so strong, so unexpected. Wow. We took a lot of pictures of the Gorge, then hit the road again to the lake. Unfortuantely the weather worsened, so we couldn't see a whole lot of the lake, but it was nice to drive around and talk. We did visit a waterfall, where Ape and Connie posed. Very nice!
That afternoon, another guest arrived at the Provis-Stengs house; John, an old friend of Connie and Graham who was travelling in his campervan.
Me and Andrew (and Ape)
We had some good conversations, and would run into each other several times the coming days. As we're travelling the same route (down south, me with the Kiwi, he in the camper) we're visiting much of the same tourists spots. We had another nice dinner later on. The next day Connie and I did a hike around Hokitika, when it was time for me to catch my bus again. I had to say goodbye to Andrew and Jacques, but we took some photo's with each other and Ape. I got a piece of Jade stone from Andrew, for which I'm really thankful. At the Jade factory they drilled a small hole in it, so I can wear it a necklace. Sweet as. I want to thank them so much for their hospitality and the fun times!
I got on the Kiwi again, which stopped just a fifteen minutes out of Hoki.
TravBuddy, meet Plant.
The Poo Pub is where we would spend the night and have a massive theme party. This nights theme: the letter P. Dress up as something that starts with a P, can be everything. A Pillow, Pirate, Priest, Pothead, Prostitute, Pinata, everything is allowed. Normally, the whole bus goes shopping for stuff to wear in Greymouth, but as I hopped on in Hoki, I didn't have time to do that and had to improvise. After some beers and some brainstorming, me and some of the girls in my room decided I should go as a plant. I wouldn't need to borrow any clothes from anyone, and noone else would be going as a plant. Satisfied, we chilled the afternoon away with some beers and music. I also ran into Corey again, my party mate I met in Sydney. Wohoo! Let the good times roll!
I borrowed some tape, went in the bushes and came out with handful of leaves and branches.
The Peasant, Peter Pan, Plant and Pipi!
With some help I taped them on my head, arms and back. One Perfect Plant I became! So the party kicked off, and what can I say, just click through the pictures. I had an awesome time with all the P's, Prisoners, Police officers, Priests, Pickles, Post-Its!, Peter Pans, Pirates, Packages, Pixies and Punkers. After a short night we hopped on the bus and had a vote for best costume. First price was a Canyon Swing in Queenstown, second a water adventure somehwere along the way. My Plant creation got in second, wicked!! The Priest was the winner, but opted for the second place prize, meaning I won a Canyon Swing for taping leaves on myself. Because I need the money for something else, I sold my prize on to a girl on the bus, netting a swift 110$. No costs for my costume, a hundred percent profit. Apesome!
I'm now at the Franz Josef Glacier, doing a full day hike tomorrow. It's going to be good and I'm having a total blast, I love it here! Stay tuned for more updates in the coming days. Ladies and gentleman, have a good night. My name is Ape, reporting from Franz Josef, New Zealand, TravBuddy Today.
