Saturday, September 30, 2006
Friday, September 29, 2006
then the 5 of us got out, got kitted up with our crampons etc and set off on a hike!!
Oh my god!! Not long after we started I fell through the ice into an icy pool well past my waist! This meant I had to do the rest of the hike in wet clothes (they kept checking I was okay as sometimes they have to helicopter ppl out due to hyperthermia).
I felt fine apart from being a tad chilly. I was glad I was in shorts, It sounds mad to be in shorts on a glacier, but if you get wet then clothes take ages to dry so your actually warmer in shorts!! However a few minutes later a person behind me noticed that the snow had these little red bits in. I hadnt even noticed I was bleeding!! Fact for the day.. ice is razor sharp. I have tonnes of cuts.. and the most massive bruises!!!
From then on I was terrified of falling, you had to jump over crevices and squeeze through them... scary but great!! I couldnt look down when jumping over these crevices!! sometimes there wasnt enough room for feet on a flat surface to you would to walk along a crevice legs apart each foot at an angle.. hoping your crampons would hold...
The next day I ached!! and I went swimming so evreryone was commenting on my cuts and bruises!!
I spent the day with the manager of Glenfern Villas. We went to the nearest town which is Hokitika - 2 hours away and we also went to greymouth. Franz Josef locals do their supermarlet shopping in either Hoki or greymouth so its a bit of a day trip!
We took the kids swimming (and I went for a swim too) then lunch at KFC and then while they went to the cinema I went and got some shopping done (I desperately needed more smart clothes for work so I got another pair of smart trousers and a black shirt, luckily I get the shirts and jackets supplied from work as they have logos on.. then we went to the supermarket and i got lots of supplies in! The little shop in franz in very expensive (they can charge what they like as theres nowhere else for hours you can buy anything..!)
Today after work (I finished at 2pm) I went on a walk (1.5 hours) to the glacier and varoius viweing points and various other tracks of about 30mins each. It was a nice walk. theres toones of tracks around here.
I'm now going to get back and try to get to know Jesika, she arrived with a very surly bloke who I'm guessing is her boyfriend.. who I'm hoping smiles occasionally..!
There will be more photos everyone.. even more stunning amazing ones of the glaciers but am getting bored waiting for them to load so you'll have to wait for another day...
So what have I been up to lately?!
Well working alot obviously! have had so much to learn that my head has felt like its going to explode!! But its great!!Its good to have the challenge of learning new things!! My boss says I'm doing great and they are going to go away for a couple of days next week and leave me as manager! So thats a good sign! I'm happy as so far theres nothing I cant do, have learnt all the computer systems and booking systems etc and we have a new cleaner starting tomorrow so everything is running smoothly!!
I have now moved out of my luxury suite in the hotel (unfortunately couldnt stay there forever, we do have guests that want it)! I now live about 3 minutes down the road in a house share. I have a nice ensuite room. At the moment I live with Ana from Brazil and Jesika from California is moving in today. Its been good so far. Ana is quiet but friendly.
I had 2 days off work this week and guess what I did!!?? It was one of the best experiences of my life.. and maybe one of the scariest!!
I went on a helihike!!
I got helicoptered up to the top of the glacier
Photos from the helicopter...
Well working alot obviously! have had so much to learn that my head has felt like its going to explode!! But its great!!Its good to have the challenge of learning new things!! My boss says I'm doing great and they are going to go away for a couple of days next week and leave me as manager! So thats a good sign! I'm happy as so far theres nothing I cant do, have learnt all the computer systems and booking systems etc and we have a new cleaner starting tomorrow so everything is running smoothly!!
I have now moved out of my luxury suite in the hotel (unfortunately couldnt stay there forever, we do have guests that want it)! I now live about 3 minutes down the road in a house share. I have a nice ensuite room. At the moment I live with Ana from Brazil and Jesika from California is moving in today. Its been good so far. Ana is quiet but friendly.
I had 2 days off work this week and guess what I did!!?? It was one of the best experiences of my life.. and maybe one of the scariest!!
I went on a helihike!!
I got helicoptered up to the top of the glacier
Photos from the helicopter...
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Saturday, September 23, 2006
Not updated in a while so phoned mum and dad the other day just to assure them I'm alive and tell them how excited I am about my current job and living environment!
Anyway, better start from the begginning, last time I updated I was in Takaka. I managed to cadge a ride to Nelson from a guy staying in the backpackers and had every intention of catching the afternoon bus from Nelson to Westport. However, I got waylaid In Nelson and decided to spend a couple of days there. I was actually trying to hurry as I had accepted a job In Franz Josef as Assistant Manager of a hotel. It wasnt definate as I had to getthere and have an interview but I kinda knew that I had a very good chance from my conversations with the manager. Anyway, I decided to stay in Nelson as the bone crver had an open day the following day. I had been wanting to do bone carving the entire time I was in Nelson but hadnt as he had ben shut for the entire winter. But the open day was great and I would love to go back and do a workshop and learn how to bone carve myself.. one day.
That night we decided to go to a quiz to try and win stuff. Everyone else was about 20 years older than us so our excuse was that the quetions were biased! A guy called Josh had checked in earlier in the day so he came out with us (Me, Anna, Christi, and Joanne). We then went on a pub crawl where I managed to not spend any money (have a feeling Josh spent hundreds as I had a lot of $20 cocktails!) Josh and I hit it off well which was cool. So a very good night was had by all. Josh unfortunately had a flight to catch at 7am and he and I hadnt actually had any sleep, we'd stayed up all night. then there was so much alcohol in my system that I couldnt go to sleep (I've never slept well when theres alcohol in my system). However I've always been very proud of the fact that I never get hangovers. Hah! Now I have learnt my lesson forever.. for the next 2 days I could barely sip water. Everone was very amused at the site of my wincing to put one foot in front of the other. of course I swore never ever to drink again.
The next day was a psychic fair that I had been wanting to go to so despite my hangover I forced myself to go. I had a reading done by two people. A guy who had spent time in North America and did animal tarot readings. I kind of went to that one as he is a shaman and remeined me of Bryan. it was a great reading anyway. I have alot more travelling to do yet apparently (good), but it wont necesserily be an easy road (oh dear). I will however be meeting a man soon (yay)! the animal bits were every interesting. the main one for everything in my life and my personality was the eagle which is of course special so that was good and reassuring. he also told me to follow any sudden desisions and ideas and to try evrything new that I can.
I had another reading from Diana as I had wanted one the entire time I lived in Nelson. That was great too, she said I'm going to meet a kiwi (yay), that I need to go to Switzerland (cool, its never occured to me to go there before but okay if you say so!). As she is a clairvoyant and has done channeling I asked her about Bryan. she said there was no way she could communicate with him as it was so soon.. then she stopped still and said Hang on... she then proceeded to describe him perfectly (the way he looked and his personality and how much love he put into helping ppl.
I still hadnt had any sleep by this point.. 3pm and I had a sudden random idea to catch a bus. so I threw myself on the 3pm bus (having 10 mins to pack!!) and fell asleep! I decideed to go down to Punakaiki since theres not alot in Westport and I did need to get down to Franz. I had a spa on the beach and went to bed early and high tide was early in the morning. I went to the pancake rocks and blow holes for 7am and it was really amazing (you'll have to see the photos).
I then wasnt sure whether to stay another day or go on to greymouth but the weather was disgusting so there was no point in my staying to do walks so since a scottish girl was driving to greymouth I cadged a lift. We stayed at Global vIllage which is a very nice backpackers. I still had a hangover so while she went caving I watched a foreign film called shanghai bicycle. we then went out to dinner etc. I was looking for some summer clothes, since it had been baking in Nelson and I had, had to smother myself in sun tan lotion.. and I was starting to get a tan etc.. I managed to get some long shorts smart enough to wear at work (of course now I'm in Franz there is no need for summer clothes!!)
I then decided to go to Arthurs Pass to do a walk so I got a bus and stayed at a nice backpackers. I did the bridle pathway walk and Avalanche Peak. OMG I can see why people die evry year at arthurs pass. it was so steep!! (theres like 4-5 day walks but I only did a 6 hour one and a 2 hour one which was enough!) It was literally like rock climbing!! scary but good, lots of photos of snowy mountains!
The next day was disgusting weather so I decided to leave and go to Hokitika. In Hokitika I wanted to do a jade carving workshop. I spent 2 days designing my own piece of jewellery and then carving it from scratch (with various machine I had to learn to use), then I had to sand a polish it! I was really impressed. People have since commented on my lovely jade pendant and its great to be able to say I made it myself! If anyones going to Hokitika go to Bonz and Stonz. The first night in Hoki I stayed a dodgy weird backpackers, well the actual place was nice but the owner was odd. so I moved to a different backpackers the second night. I met a few ppl though, went out for hot chocolate etc with a girl from england the first night, and then second night I went out for an indian with some french ppl.
The follwing day I walke to the main road and was just deciding whether to put my bags down firstand then hitch or to keep holding them and started to raise my thumb to hitch when a car stopped.. that was quick!! got a ride to Ross. A goldmining village (alot of gold comes from it!), then hitched a lift again, (took about 5 mins), got dropped off in Hari Hari where it took about 20 mins to get my next ride to Franz Josef. It was raining as usual (as I think it always does on the west coast)
I walked to my hotel where I would hopefully be working and got shown my room which I had been told I could stay in overnight. It is a $250 a night suite.. king size bed, my own balcony into a rainforest, my own spa bath, underfloor heating. one of those gas fires that looks like a real fire. my own kitcken. and sky TV. After sleeping in dorms for so long I was beyond excitement.
I had an interview in the afternoon is which I suggested a trial (so either one of us could back out) she like the idea so I have a 1 month trial as Assistant Manager. I decide to chill out and not worry and if its meant to be it will be. There is a hell of alot for me to learn. I am getting my head round calista (a computer programme). I watched the first day and was left to it the second day. (having to reply to 50 emails and the check outs etc..) We are getting bookings as far ahead as November 2007.. OMG thats over a year away! Scary! some are trying to get accomodation for this christmas.. as if!
The first night I went out for dinner with Eva (yes the same Eva who I worked with in Akaroa and Nelson) as she is a cleaner at Rainforest retreat next door (small world huh?!), the second night I went for dinner at my bosses house ( we got take out from rainforest retreat which eva had cooked!), got fed plenty of sauvignon blanc (though I was very restrained after the mammoth hangover last week) and also done want to give a bad impression at the beginning!
the next night it was the Alice May opening so went to party with free alcohol and nibbles. I met loads of ppl and probably drank too much (though I hope nobody knew as I stopped and said no more!). That was last night, so today I have the morning off and dont work till 2. I'm doing the 2-8 shift. So it will be all the checking in. As I've been doing mornings, there will be plenty of different stuff for me to learn!
Oh I forgot, my suite which was only meant to be for one night... Marie asked if I would mid staying in there till 1st October when my flat would be ready. So am enjoying my luxury suite!!
I went to look at my flat yesterday, it'll be a flat share with 2 other girls. But I get the en suite and they have to share a bathroom. Hopefully it will be good and I will get on with them!
Its past of my job to do all the tourist trips so I will be going on various helihikes and helicopter rides over Mount cook and the glaciers etc! I cant wait!! In case you dont know what Franz is like, its basically a small street next to a glacier! the rest is wilderness!
Anyway, better start from the begginning, last time I updated I was in Takaka. I managed to cadge a ride to Nelson from a guy staying in the backpackers and had every intention of catching the afternoon bus from Nelson to Westport. However, I got waylaid In Nelson and decided to spend a couple of days there. I was actually trying to hurry as I had accepted a job In Franz Josef as Assistant Manager of a hotel. It wasnt definate as I had to getthere and have an interview but I kinda knew that I had a very good chance from my conversations with the manager. Anyway, I decided to stay in Nelson as the bone crver had an open day the following day. I had been wanting to do bone carving the entire time I was in Nelson but hadnt as he had ben shut for the entire winter. But the open day was great and I would love to go back and do a workshop and learn how to bone carve myself.. one day.
That night we decided to go to a quiz to try and win stuff. Everyone else was about 20 years older than us so our excuse was that the quetions were biased! A guy called Josh had checked in earlier in the day so he came out with us (Me, Anna, Christi, and Joanne). We then went on a pub crawl where I managed to not spend any money (have a feeling Josh spent hundreds as I had a lot of $20 cocktails!) Josh and I hit it off well which was cool. So a very good night was had by all. Josh unfortunately had a flight to catch at 7am and he and I hadnt actually had any sleep, we'd stayed up all night. then there was so much alcohol in my system that I couldnt go to sleep (I've never slept well when theres alcohol in my system). However I've always been very proud of the fact that I never get hangovers. Hah! Now I have learnt my lesson forever.. for the next 2 days I could barely sip water. Everone was very amused at the site of my wincing to put one foot in front of the other. of course I swore never ever to drink again.
The next day was a psychic fair that I had been wanting to go to so despite my hangover I forced myself to go. I had a reading done by two people. A guy who had spent time in North America and did animal tarot readings. I kind of went to that one as he is a shaman and remeined me of Bryan. it was a great reading anyway. I have alot more travelling to do yet apparently (good), but it wont necesserily be an easy road (oh dear). I will however be meeting a man soon (yay)! the animal bits were every interesting. the main one for everything in my life and my personality was the eagle which is of course special so that was good and reassuring. he also told me to follow any sudden desisions and ideas and to try evrything new that I can.
I had another reading from Diana as I had wanted one the entire time I lived in Nelson. That was great too, she said I'm going to meet a kiwi (yay), that I need to go to Switzerland (cool, its never occured to me to go there before but okay if you say so!). As she is a clairvoyant and has done channeling I asked her about Bryan. she said there was no way she could communicate with him as it was so soon.. then she stopped still and said Hang on... she then proceeded to describe him perfectly (the way he looked and his personality and how much love he put into helping ppl.
I still hadnt had any sleep by this point.. 3pm and I had a sudden random idea to catch a bus. so I threw myself on the 3pm bus (having 10 mins to pack!!) and fell asleep! I decideed to go down to Punakaiki since theres not alot in Westport and I did need to get down to Franz. I had a spa on the beach and went to bed early and high tide was early in the morning. I went to the pancake rocks and blow holes for 7am and it was really amazing (you'll have to see the photos).
I then wasnt sure whether to stay another day or go on to greymouth but the weather was disgusting so there was no point in my staying to do walks so since a scottish girl was driving to greymouth I cadged a lift. We stayed at Global vIllage which is a very nice backpackers. I still had a hangover so while she went caving I watched a foreign film called shanghai bicycle. we then went out to dinner etc. I was looking for some summer clothes, since it had been baking in Nelson and I had, had to smother myself in sun tan lotion.. and I was starting to get a tan etc.. I managed to get some long shorts smart enough to wear at work (of course now I'm in Franz there is no need for summer clothes!!)
I then decided to go to Arthurs Pass to do a walk so I got a bus and stayed at a nice backpackers. I did the bridle pathway walk and Avalanche Peak. OMG I can see why people die evry year at arthurs pass. it was so steep!! (theres like 4-5 day walks but I only did a 6 hour one and a 2 hour one which was enough!) It was literally like rock climbing!! scary but good, lots of photos of snowy mountains!
The next day was disgusting weather so I decided to leave and go to Hokitika. In Hokitika I wanted to do a jade carving workshop. I spent 2 days designing my own piece of jewellery and then carving it from scratch (with various machine I had to learn to use), then I had to sand a polish it! I was really impressed. People have since commented on my lovely jade pendant and its great to be able to say I made it myself! If anyones going to Hokitika go to Bonz and Stonz. The first night in Hoki I stayed a dodgy weird backpackers, well the actual place was nice but the owner was odd. so I moved to a different backpackers the second night. I met a few ppl though, went out for hot chocolate etc with a girl from england the first night, and then second night I went out for an indian with some french ppl.
The follwing day I walke to the main road and was just deciding whether to put my bags down firstand then hitch or to keep holding them and started to raise my thumb to hitch when a car stopped.. that was quick!! got a ride to Ross. A goldmining village (alot of gold comes from it!), then hitched a lift again, (took about 5 mins), got dropped off in Hari Hari where it took about 20 mins to get my next ride to Franz Josef. It was raining as usual (as I think it always does on the west coast)
I walked to my hotel where I would hopefully be working and got shown my room which I had been told I could stay in overnight. It is a $250 a night suite.. king size bed, my own balcony into a rainforest, my own spa bath, underfloor heating. one of those gas fires that looks like a real fire. my own kitcken. and sky TV. After sleeping in dorms for so long I was beyond excitement.
I had an interview in the afternoon is which I suggested a trial (so either one of us could back out) she like the idea so I have a 1 month trial as Assistant Manager. I decide to chill out and not worry and if its meant to be it will be. There is a hell of alot for me to learn. I am getting my head round calista (a computer programme). I watched the first day and was left to it the second day. (having to reply to 50 emails and the check outs etc..) We are getting bookings as far ahead as November 2007.. OMG thats over a year away! Scary! some are trying to get accomodation for this christmas.. as if!
The first night I went out for dinner with Eva (yes the same Eva who I worked with in Akaroa and Nelson) as she is a cleaner at Rainforest retreat next door (small world huh?!), the second night I went for dinner at my bosses house ( we got take out from rainforest retreat which eva had cooked!), got fed plenty of sauvignon blanc (though I was very restrained after the mammoth hangover last week) and also done want to give a bad impression at the beginning!
the next night it was the Alice May opening so went to party with free alcohol and nibbles. I met loads of ppl and probably drank too much (though I hope nobody knew as I stopped and said no more!). That was last night, so today I have the morning off and dont work till 2. I'm doing the 2-8 shift. So it will be all the checking in. As I've been doing mornings, there will be plenty of different stuff for me to learn!
Oh I forgot, my suite which was only meant to be for one night... Marie asked if I would mid staying in there till 1st October when my flat would be ready. So am enjoying my luxury suite!!
I went to look at my flat yesterday, it'll be a flat share with 2 other girls. But I get the en suite and they have to share a bathroom. Hopefully it will be good and I will get on with them!
Its past of my job to do all the tourist trips so I will be going on various helihikes and helicopter rides over Mount cook and the glaciers etc! I cant wait!! In case you dont know what Franz is like, its basically a small street next to a glacier! the rest is wilderness!
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