I'm writing this from Franz Joseph on the South Island, it is the 3rd April and we've been here since the 10th March so I'm going to have to back track a bit. I've been writing in my journal everyday though so hopefully it will all come flooding back. It feels like we've been here for ages, I guess that's what moving around every couple of days does to you, We've been to so many places and seen so many things that Auckland seems an eternity away but this is where I'll start.
For no other reason than sheer convenience I booked us into Base Hostel in downtown Auckland and picked the cheapest room available. We soon found out why it was called 'Base'. I gather it works a bit like Ryan Air whereby if you want a window in your room that's extra and I obviously forgot to un-tick the 'No Slags' box as well as, upon entering the pitch black broom cupboard we woke Clara up who was sleeping off the previous nights exertions- it was 3.30pm. We introduced ourselves and chatted briefly. Clara was Australian and was over here with her friend Grace from Ireland who was renewing her visa before going back to OZ. Like Abbie Hoffman Clara liked to say the 'F' word, a lot! and we where to find out that she liked to do the 'F' word just as much!
We left Clara to convalesce while we went out to explore Auckland which on first impression seemed very nice. Everyone seemed very athletic looking and tanned which made both myself and Joe feel a bit self conscious but apart from that it was a glorious day and this was the start of our travelling 'proper' so we were in good spirits. We also went to the Magic Bus office and booked a couple of 'add-ons' to our trip including the Bay of Islands and Milford Sound which were both on offer.
Side note: Everyone who knows me knows i like a bit of a moan and I've grumbled a bit about the Magic Bus over the weeks but it has to be said we got a fantastic deal $350 to do the whole of the North and South Islands, that's less than 175 pound!
To give you an idea of the kind of hostel we were staying in there was and Hi-de-hi style intercom throughout the building from the bar next door informing everyone of their various offers. One of the offers was a 'Free $1000 bar tab' which meant from 8.00pm drinks where free until $1000 had been reached. we got there at 10 past and it had ended!! Clara and Grace where already there slightly inebriated and we got chatting with a few lads from Nottingham as well. We also met a girl from Essex Lucy who filled us in on Clara and Grace. 'They like shaggin, those two..' she said. This coming from an Essex girl was cause for alarm! Imagine the music from 'Psycho' as we turned around to see Clara leaving the bar with a bloke! This was only the beginning and we watched in horror as Clara returned to the bar alone and within the hour leave again with another random stranger who thought his luck was in. I remember thinking to myself 'he wont be smiling when the test results come back.' Both myself and Joe where scared to go back to the room that night and we had to be up at 7.00am cos we where going Canyoning!
Canyoning was ace, walking uphill for an hour in a wet suit with a headache and carrying a bag of wet rope wasn't! For those of you who don't know Canyoning involves making your way down a series of waterfalls and rock pools by jumping, sliding and ab sailing! There where also some pretty awesome views and we got up close and personal with some massive fresh water eels. Check out the pics here!
Back at the Hostel we had signed up for a charity pub crawl in aid of Christchurch; by the second pub I heard one of the barmen comment that it was the biggest pub crawl he'd ever seen. It was seriously like freshers week! A bunch of horny kids running around trying to mount each other. I wasn't having a great time. I also had one eye cautiously on Clara to see how often she was leaving with someone trying to work out when it would be safe to go back.
I had also had enough of Auckland's 'nightlife' but went out for a few beers that evening anyway cos the room was so depressing. By 10pm I was shattered and we had an early start in the morning to go to the Bay of Islands so I went to bed, but not before pleading with Grace not to let Clara come back with anyone while I was in the room.
Grace it turns out wasn't nearly as bad as Clara and I'd begun to feel a bit sorry for her. She found out that day that her visa extension had been rejected and for some reason desperately didn't want to return to Ireland. Clara was evidently leading her astray and I couldn't help thinking she was in a pitiful situation- not all travellers are living out their dreams.
Clara on the other hand was a law unto herself and not bringing anyone back to the room was sadly too much to ask! Thankfully I slept through it but Joe was awake throughout the whole ordeal and was traumatised come morning. I awoke at 6.00am to the sound of Clara and Grace arguing. Grace was telling Clara how I was going to 'kick off' when I woke up and she wasn't wrong! Clara bolted for the bathroom and I politely requested that the young gentleman vacated the premises and advised he took himself off to the nearest GUM clinic at his earliest convenience. I also suggested that Clara found Priest and Grace some new friends, and with that we were out of there; we havent stayed at a Base Hostel since!
Next Week: Bay of Islands!
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