Up in the clouds... or down (!)

To think that it all started about 10 months ago seems so unreal right now. Time flew while I was living the dream! Though it wasn't just time that spread its wings, sort of speak. Even since my last blog I've been up (and down) in the air quite a bit as well, and in all sorts of ways: falling, flying, vertical, horizontal, solo, together, short or long, you name it.


Airborne - Old Ghost Road Project
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First of all I flew out in a helicopter(!) in the end of April as a volunteer to help improve a section of the Old Ghost Road track - a long-forgotten gold miner's road being revived as NZ longest single track.

7 Days of building, chopping, drilling, blasting, using a chainsaw, playing card games on the rainy days and there were lots and lots of buckets filled with rocks involved. Anyhow, it was such an awesome and rewarding experience! Not only did I learn a lot, the scenery was breath-taking. It definitely put walking to work in a whole new perspective. And not to forget the amazing team of people I got to know, providing good laughs and great memories. I'm so grateful that I got to take part in the project. I suppose I just have to come back one day to actually ride the track. You should so do the same..!


Back to civilisation
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When I came back to Westport I stayed with the Rossitiers for a few lovely days. And I also got to go on a rafting trip, which I failed to do last time. Apparently, when sitting in the front, you're guaranteed to catch as much water as possible. Though just to be sure I would experience the real wet and wild, I went aboard - Don't worry mum, we didn't fall in accidentally, we jumped… Fortune favours the brave?


Rainy Days, Huge Waterfalls
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A couple rainy weeks followed, and I was on my way to Te Anau for a woofing job at a lodge. I made a stop in Fox Glacier, and had a look at the mirror lake Matheson, and then carried on. I only stayed a couple days at the lodge, as it just wasn't for me. Their weird little rules, customs and wearing an overall (to carry boxes), kinda made me feel as if I was on probation. It made me laugh, but I also realised fairly soon that I had to move on. The rainy weather wasn't really helping, but as it happens rain equals massive waterfalls. And what better place to see waterfalls than Milford Sounds. With the gift I got from Total Sport, I went on a cruise to see Milford. It wasn't too rainy and neither was it a clear or sunny day. Yet, it still was a stunning view!


Queenstown
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After a few days I got a ride to Queenstown. I stayed in a backpacker which felt as an all-inclusive with homemade soup every day, a bbq & pubcrawl, wifi, etc (all for free). Here I made some new friends. Many hoping to stay in Queenstown for the winter season, trying to find a job. Though at this time, it wasn't that easy. You see, there are probably only 2 really quiet months in the entire year, and that would be May and June. Nevertheless I had a great time. I did a couple walks, such as Queenstown Hill, the Tiki Track (to the top of the Gondola), even walked in the snow to the Ben Lomond saddle. Supposedly the view would have been amazing. That is, if you don't get there stuck in a cloud. Yes, I was up in the clouds again.. Nevertheless we figured that reaching that little bench in the middle of all whiteness, was worthy a famous Fergeburger - If you haven't had one while you're in Queenstown, people will look at you funny. It made me curious, and fair enough, it was a good burger for sure. Though I belief that the 6 hour walk to the saddle, contributed to the satisficing taste.


Settling down...
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The remaining weeks I had left in New Zealand I settled down in a town I loved from day one; Wanaka. Small enough to give a nice comforting ambiance, big enough to have everything you need. Besides, lake Wanaka itself makes sure the view is never really the same, nor less pretty. First I found a woofing job with Nigel for a couple weeks, and ended with a woofing job with Nathalie, a friend of Nigel.

On an absolute clear day I didn't need much convincing to strap myself to a complete stranger and jump out of an airplane. Under the prefix of "Leven is het meervoud van lef" - it gets lost in translation, but means you need a bit of courage to actually live life - I took the fall. As this was my second time skydiving, I had to step it up. So my tandem instructor "Pip" knew an amazing flip-exit out of the airplane and I was in control when the chute had opened. Amazing experience! I couldn't get rid of that smile on my face for the rest of the day ( - didn't want to either).

Here was I thinking my share of spontaneous adventures was finished, as I was getting closer to the end of my travels… Think again. On my day off I went for a bike ride and ended up on a lookout at Diamond Lake. On my way I noticed little tiny people on the rocks.. If only, I could go climbing too! Anyway, slowly my lonely spot became more crowded. I met two French guys Thibaut and Antoine, who happened to go for a climb afterwards and yes, asking me if I wanted to tag along… uhh yeah! I didn't care that I was wearing my worn-off shoes with no grip at all, at least I got a little taste of climbing again.

What else did I do in Wanaka? I walked up the Isthmus Peak, went to the book release of Lydia Bradey - the first woman to climb Mt Everest without supplemental oxygen and friend of Nathalie. Also, there is this lovely cafe to have a drink with friends, it's the one with the Maori name and you'll recognise it as it is the only place that's always packed.


Going down in style…
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As my time was running out (and so was my money) I decided to skip the East Coast of the South Island of New Zealand. However, this did mean I had a bit of money left to fall down the sky again. This time flying solo: Bungee time! I did the 43m high Kawarau Bridge Bungee, home to world's first bungee and I even touched the water. To be honest, I expected it to be terrifying. But once I stood ready to jump, all I could feel was excitement. So I spread my arms and took a leap of faith… Epic! In Queenstown I could stay with Jo for a couple nights until I flew back to Auckland.


Doing a bit of time travelling
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Once I'd said my goodbyes and repacked my bags, it was time for me to fly home. Whoever says the way back always appears to be shorter, obviously didn't have a journey of almost 52 hours to go. Nevertheless, watching movies, skyping and having a little sneak-peak in the city of Bangkok made it doable to pass the time. Finally, I got to Schiphol airport and was about to get reunited with family. I was feeling confident I could keep it all together, but once I got a glimpse of my lovely crazy family jumping with banners, flowers, balloons and those familiar smiles on their faces… I just had to give in. Thanks you guys so much for such a warm welcome home, it truly made me feel home again.



Well, I haven't lost it. English or Dutch doesn't matter, I just can't keep it short. Thinking back about my adventure and the new friends I've made along the way, just makes me smile. Even though my journey has come to an end, I will always remember it and something tells me I'm not quite done yet either. For now, I'll enjoy being back home and probably should get started on that photo album any time soon. One way or another, I'll continue living the dream, up or down in the clouds.

Thanks heaps all of you!! See you when I see you :)

Liefs, Sabien