“Welcome home, from the bottom of our hearts” (Last post)

As I write this last blog post of my trip, I’m listening to the song “Welcome home” by Dave Dobbyn.  Here’s the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQlVmvXAGLI (Take a listen while you read!).  Whenever I listen to this, it reminds me of the openness of new Zealanders, and how I do feel this place is home to me now, and accepts me with open arms.

These last few days have allotted me copious amounts of thinking time, something you can never have too much of.  I have found that of all things to discover, I have discovered a love for uncertainty.  Uncertainty means you are not limited to just one possibility.  Rather, the possibilities are endless.  Being here, and feeling a part of something bigger (truly, we are the stuff of stars and oceans) I have been blessed beyond my years in travel, love, and support.  They say home is where the heart is and I if I am certain of one thing it is this: a part of me will always be one with New Zealand…with the mountains and rivers and endless stars.  Knowing this, it feels okay to be leaving soon. 

I hope I am not being misleading – although it is the end of my schooling and solo travels, my parents are coming up to visit for close to three weeks so it is not the end of adventures!  I am absolutely bursting with excitement to see them and show them my new home! 

In other news, I partook in the “Polar Plunge”, running into the ocean at St. Clair in the middle of winter.  You know, something any sane person would do.  We (Sarah, Jon, and I) also spent a few nights on the Otago Peninsula, and one day exploring the Catlins(where the above picture was taken).  Currently, I am the last one left in our old flat in Dunedin, taking care of last minute business before my parents arrive.  It’s been nice, having this time to reflect on the joy brought into my life by people I’ve met and the spectacular beauty of the place I live in.

In parting words, thank you to all who have kept up and read this blog. 

I hope to return with a more open mind, and not be so quick to think of things that I have to do, but rather things that I hope to achieve.  From being here, I've learned to say “yes, let’s go!” far more often that I normally would have.   There will always be time to get stuff done (homework, etc), but there will not always be these opportunities for adventure.  With this in mind, I go back to Oregon with an open mind and a ready heart for exploration.  All fellow ducks reading this, count me in for football games, marathons, hikes, crazy shenanigans, and everything in between.  

This has been the best time of my life, and just because it’s at an end does not mean I won’t continue to live to the fullest. 

Thank you, I love you.   Mā te Atua me te wāhi ngaro tātou e tiaki e manaaki.  May God and the origins of which all things come from, bless and keep us.

Welcome home.

Love Always,
Christina

Milford Sound

Kia Ora!
I have been to the most beautiful place on earth - Milford Sound! This post will consist mainly of pictures because a picture is worth a thousand words and truly words can't explain this kind of beauty.

My neighbor Jane and I headed off to Milford last Saturday: here was our itinerary!
1) Bus to Te Anau - lovely and relaxing.  The scenery going by was peaceful with the sunset playing hide and seek in between the rolling hills.  Jane and I joked around a bit, then enjoyed the sunset listening to music.

2) Arrival in Te Anau! We dropped our bags off at the YHA hostel (side note: hostels are really fun to be in - meeting people from all over, cooking in the community kitchen, and going to sleep in your bunk bed) From there, we went for pizza, explored the town, and had an early night to prepare for a big day of sightseeing!

3) Milford day!  Jane and I woke up to rain pouring cats and dogs and all other assorted animals outside.  We weren't worried, nothing could take away from the excitement of Milford sound day!  We boarded our scenic bus (with a clear ceiling to see the cliffs better) and set off for the adventure.  Good news!  In less than a half hour into the trip, the sun came out and there were blue skies!  And now, photo time.

Here's Jane and I at mirror lane!  We might be sending this out as our Christmas card (:

Another stop! SO beautiful!!!!

Guess what the name of this mountain is?  Mount Christina!  So, here I am in front of my very own mountain.  Thanks New Zealand - I love it! 

Waterfalls and Rainbows

And now, Milford Sound itself!  We boarded the boat, made some international friends, and set sail!

Funny story report time: Jane and I (as well as Courtney, our new friend pictured above) went a little wild with all this scenery.  We stayed on deck the whole time, getting splashed by waterfalls, singing, leaping, and being generally super excited to be alive.  We went exploring, eventually ending up at the front of the boat and naturally quoting Titanic.  There was a bell at the very front that I was fixated on and just really wanted to ring...little did we know, the captain's seat was above us and he could see all that we were doing.  He must have noticed Jane and I snooping around the bell, and announced over the loudspeaker "Hey happy dancing girls, I know you wanna ring that bell!".  We spun around to face a little audience and the captain himself laughing.  

...Jane let me do the honors. and this was the result.  SUCCESS! Making sounds on the Milford sound!

After a beautiful trip on the sound including baby seals and a pod of dolphins, we cruised back into the harbor and boarded the bus for the ride home.  Daydreaming out the window with the mountains in the distance, time flew by!  Jane and I arrived happily back in Te Anau, and took some time to walk around and see the sunset on the Lake.

As we headed back to our hostel for the night, something funny happened.  Out of nowhere, this pseudo-firetruck zooms past and a man leans his head out the window and yells "Heeeeeey Ladies!" Jane and I just stare at each other then burst out laughing, a common theme for the day.  Once back at the hostel, we walked in and saw someone else checking in.  He smiled and said hello and we returned the kindness, heading up to our room.
Christina: Did that man look familiar to you at all?
Jane: Nope, not really
Christina: Huh.  Maybe just a familiar face or something
We then went to the local grocery to procure some pies (a true NZ dinner), but stopped short when we saw that same truck in the parking lot.  We turn to each other and at the same time yell "It's Hey Ladies!!!" And proceed to sprint down the sidewalk, laughing and pushing each other in fits of glee and "oh my gosh no way".  Looking back, I think we were exhausted from the joy of the day and were in a mood where everything and anything was funny.  The rest of the evening consisted of joking about "Hey Ladies" (This guy's official new name), making pies in our communal kitchen, and enjoying them while watching "Iron Man".  A fabulous day and fun night!

Love,
Two girls who LOVE New Zealand!