New Zealand Pictures

Christmas

Just got back into Queenstown from the Routeburn trek. It took us 3 days and on the second day it rained the entire time. I Met up with a couple friends from Colorado, so we did the trek together. It was a good Christmas spent in the middle of the wilderness singing carols with a buch of trekers. I have to work again on Jan 5th in Cromwell. The job will probably last another 2 weeks after that. Im going to do the Nexis bungy jump in a few days, which is the third largest in the world. Should be a good time before getting back to the vineyard.

Work

That job in Blenheim was a sham. Hopefully I get some money, but it was kind of a waste of 2 weeks. Im in the southern part of the south island now in a town called Cromwell near Queenstown. Im pretty sure I have a week of work lined up for Wednesday then I will try to line something up for January. Ive been camping outside the last few days and plan on camping for at least the next week. Its nice to be out of hostels because that lifestyle gets to be a bit much after a couple months. I have plenty of pictures, but most internet costs money. I will try to post some when I get a chance.

Vineyards

Im in Blenheim on the south island working at a vineyard. Its nice because Im outside all the time, but the operation is a little shady. My plan is to stay here for another 2 weeks then head south for Christmas and find something fun for New Years. After that I may head back up towards Nelson to get a little work in January.

New Zealand

After spending a few days in Auckland I took a bus down to Wellington. I am trying couchsurfing for the first time tonight, and the host is nice and accommodating. Tomorrow morning Im taking a ferry to the south island and after that Im not sure what the plan is. Im probably going to try to get a working holiday visa and a job somewhere on the south island.

Argentina

Paracas Peru

New Zealand

Got in to NZ yesterday morning. I had a 22 hour bus ride from Patagonia then 8 hours in Ba then a 13 hour flight to NZ, so it has been a long couple of days. Im in Aukland now, but will probably get out of here within a day or two. Im not sure where Im going, but if I can get on a sailboat from here I will. If not some friends from Colorado are coming out, so I will hang out with them and try to find a job.

Bariloche

Just arrived at Bariloche Argentina after a 23.5 hour bus ride. It is at the top of Patagonia. I have to fly out of BA in the early morning of the 18th, so I dont have much time here. The area is beautiful. Hopefully I will have pictures to update soon. Got to see a futbol game in BA (Boca Juniors vs. Colon) and there was a good night life in the city, but its really nice to be out of the city.

Buenos Aries

After surfing in Lima for a few days and relaxing I just got into Buenos Aries this morning around 5am. I am staying in a hostel near 9 do Julio Av. and Av. de Mayo. Im not sure what the plan is, maybe Patagonia. If anyone has any suggestions on where to go or what to see let me know. I have two weeks until I fly out of Buenos Aries, so I could could to Chile or Uruguay (if US citizens dont have to pay too much extra).

Lima

I didnt go to Nasca, Ika, or Huaraz. Plans change pretty quick. On the way north I went to Pisco and Paracas for a few nights. I stopped in Lima for a night, but now Im going to stay here and learn how to surf for the rest of the week.

Not going to Bolivia

Going into Bolivia would have cost me $135, so I skipped Cocacabana and La Paz. Im in Arequipa today. I think Im going to go to Nazca tonight then Ica. After spending a few days in these places I want to head to Huaraz because there is a lot of treking, so we will see if this happens or my plans change.

Lake Titicaca and a floating island

Mach Picchu and Wynapicchu

The top picture was taken from Wynapicchu, which is the big mountain on the right in the bottom picture. Only 400 people are allowed to hike Wynapicchu a day, so we woke up at 4am to make sure we got a spot.

Puno

Checked out Mach Picchu and hiked Wynapicchu. Just got into Puno at 5 am this morning, so Im going to chech out Lake Titticacca for a couple days. I am probably going to Copa Cobana in Bolivia then heading to the south coast of Peru and up from there.

Machu Picchu

Im taking the bus to St Maria then a taxi to St Teresa for the night. Then tomorrow I will take a taxi to Hidroelectrica then walk to Aguas Calientes, and stay the night there before going into Machu Picchu. I should be back in Cusco Monday night.

Pictures from San Blas

Lima

Just flew into Lima for the night. Glad to be out of Panama City because it is not a clean or fun place to be. Im probably going to fly to Cusco tomorrow morning and stay there for a few days to get acclimated before hiking too much.

San Blas

Just got back to Panama City from San Blas. It was beautiful. For 25 $ a day you get 3 meals, a bed, and a ride to a different beach everyday.

Leaving Panama for a bit

So things have changed a little. Im going to San Blas at 4:30 tomorrow morning. Im not sure where that is, but it looks like paradise.

Panama

Just got into Panama and found the hostels without any hasles. Im staying in Panama City for at least one night, but I might try to get out of the city tomorrow.

October 5th 2009

Vermont foliage.

Tomorrow my flight leaves Burlington Vermont at 4:30pm.  There is a 12 hour layover in JFK, and I land in Panama City 11am on Wednesday October 7th.