Cinderella on ice

I forgot to mention that not only did our fast track group reach great heights but we boldy trekked a part of the glacier where no other group had gone before. I also forgot to mention that on the glacier hike, I was conveniently given the nickname "Cinderella." I know what you're thinking...but it was only because I asked our guide, Mike, to put my crampons on for me. Crampons are the spikes you attach to your boots so you can tackle the icy terrain.

Other things I have learned while trekking the South Island:

1. Greymouth is pronounced "Grey-moo-th"

2. Dunedin is pronounced "Doo-nay-din"

3. Glacier is somehow pronounced "Glassy-air"

4. The hostelling card you buy in the US has no purpose or value anywhere in New Zealand.

5. Sandflies do exist and they make for unhappy backpackers.

In other news, I've finally arrived to Queenstown. Bumble backpackers (my hostel) is on this picturesque lake and I have ditched my fleece for some shorts and a huge smile. The town is jumping with backpackers, as I am clearly not the only one who wanted to be here for NYE. I will be meeting up with the Stray crew (see below) for some more good times.

See you in 2008.

Stay bitten...but not by sandflies!

ice ice baby

I ended up being the only one at happy hour, aside from a British guy. He was good company and we planned to go out afterwards. He went back to his room to shower and I apparently, ended up sleeping right after happy hour. I guess I was more jetlagged than I thought. Good thing, the British guy ended up staying out too late that I probably would have missed the Tranz-Alpine train, which was scenic and beautiful, but I had my head in my newest read, The History of Love.

I arrived in Greymouth to meet my new travel crew on the Stray Bus. I expected to get on the bus and be greeted with high-fives and enthusiasm. Instead, I arrived on the mute bus. I realized it took a few drinks and some day hikes for everyone to bond. Phew. We eventually made our way to the Franz Josef Glacier and found our way to our lodging amidst the rainforest.

The following morning, I did the full day glacier hike, 8 hours on ice. Words and photographs do not do it justice. It was an experience which I'll never forget. I started the hike thinking "What did you get yourself into? You are alone in New Zealand on a mother effin' glacier. Where's the beach?" The Stray travelers ended up being placed in the fast track group, group 1, headed by Mike. It was challenging and pushed me way beyond my limits. It was one of the most amazing experiences thus far.

This internet cafe needs AC. I'm off to Queenstown in an hour to celebrate New Years Eve in the "Adventure Capital of the World." More to come, when I've got some free time, and internet cafe that isn't comparable to a sauna.

In the meantime, enjoy the few pics, more stories to come.

HAPPY NEW YEAR :)

Coach me

I'm starting to wonder how the fashion megahouse sells bags, shoes, and other accessories with "Coach" as a brand name. When I think of "coach," I think of crying babies, coffee, tea or milk m'am, and leg cramps. Well after 2 days of traveling coach, I finally arrived in New Zealand. But it wasn't the easiest getting here. 8am, Christmas morning, I didn't wake up to half-eaten cookies from Santa and gifts under the tree. Instead, I woke up to my neurotic (but lovely) mother telling me to hop into the shower because my 2pm flight was canceled due to "mechanical problems." So I took an earlier flight, with a slight detour to Chicago before LAX. Lucky for me, I enjoyed sitting in coach, sandwiched between a nun and a thug. From LA, I flew to Auckland, enjoyed the empty seat next to me and caught The Darjeeling Limited. After Auckland, I had to sweet talk my way onto the 9am flight to Christchurch instead of the 8pm flight I was supposed to be on. It wasn't easy and I was denied at first. But instead of panicking, I sat down at a cafe, told myself "think positively Laur" and 5 minutes later, I kid you not, a woman from my plane came over and started talking to me. She informed me that she was able to switch even though she used her miles too. So I marched right up to the desk and inforced what my grandmother once taught me...behind every no, is a yes. (You just have to smile and try hard).

I arrived earlier than expected to Christchurch, we'll have to thank JC and the nun for that. I wasn't able to check into Stonehurst hostel until 2pm, so I decided to explore the town. I went to the center square, saw the life size chess game, and made my way to the beautiful Botanical Gardens. I met someone on my flight who wanted to meet up and do all these things but without a cell phone we decided "if we're meant to meet up, fate will take it's course." After wandering around Christchurch solo, I came back to check in and take a much needed shower.

My jetlag is starting to kick in. Good thing happy hour is in a little bit.
I have a 6:30am wakeup call to catch the Tranz-something train to Greymouth where I'll meet my new friends from Stray travel. Let's hope they all have the a sense of humor and the looks of Ben Affleck. A girl can dream, right?

Stay tuned, stay bitten, stay sweet : )
(And ignore the font, I'm not posting from my beloved Mac)

New York to New Zealand

The day has finally arrived. For the past two months, I've stared at my computer screen and thought "only 21 more days of looking at you John Krasinski. 16 more of you, Amy Poehler." Today capped off the countdown. After hearing the Long-guy Island accents while doing some last-minute shopping at the Americana, I realized it's time to replace that accent with that of an Australian. Yes, the day has finally arrived. I'm off to New Zealand tomorrow. It's only fitting that this Jew flies out on Christmas...how else am I supposed to increase my chances of being on the same flight as Zach Braff again?! And yes, this time, my friends won't be there to stop me from sending him a cheese box.

So this week has been somewhat of a rollercoaster. The Eagles weren't kidding, in a New York Minute, everything can change. Everyday something worth writing about happened. Whether it was being mistaken for a celebrity by the daughter-in-law of a celebrity, an earthquake in New Zealand, or running into my aunt and uncle on the street, everyday it was something else. Apparently, my mom was more concerned with my cough than the recent earthquake in New Zealand. Cough or no cough, my bags are packed, I'm ready to go. My carry-on is reminescent of a NYC bodega, fully equipped with airborne, travel-size toiletries, 2 books, 2 trashy magazines, and 2 magazines that balance out the trash, one being, the Dec 24th-31st issue of New York Magazine. If you haven't picked it up yet, I highly recommend it. So go see Juno and on your way home, pick up this magazine. The issue gives reasons to love New York that will make you laugh, cringe, and nod that it is arguably the greatest city to live in. Check out reasons #12,16, 38.

As much as I love New York, I need to pull a Ross and Rachel and take a break. I am in of need a tan, a vacation from facebook, and to create proof to my future grandkids, that I was, at one point, adventurous and somewhat crazy. Time to meet new people, exchange stories, and learn about a place far from home.

itching for a getaway

I'm a little late to the blog party, but hey, better late than never, right?

So this is my blog, a love letter to travel. I've been traveling since the early '80's, when I was better known as "Mr. T." Yes, I had a natural mohawk as a baby, soon to grow into a mushroom bob just like Suri Cruise. I think it's safe to say that I was bit by the travel bug as a child. I blame my parents for that and thank them too. Twenty something years later, I'm still itching for my next getaway.* Thankfully, Craig had the same itch and on the 2nd Annual Billy Madison Day, we decided to book a trip to Australia. Next week I'm headed for New Zealand, and in the new year, I'll be meeting up with Craig in Brisbane. The excitement far exceeds Jesse Spano.

This blog is an excuse for me to document my travels, share my experiences with others, and hopefully, inspire. I'd like for it to serve as a resource for your future travels. I hope that I can continue to add to it and that my friends can contribute their experiences as well. And yes, it's bound to be entertaining. I can't guarantee that a baboon will steal our British friends' backpack while hiking the Cape of Good Hope or that I'll party with Steve Urkel in Mykonos (both true stories). But I'm sure, if anything, it will make you smile.

7ish days until the journey starts...

*thanks Jaclyn
and thanks to my Mom (the best travel agent) + team A