Tuesday 30 October 2007

What do you have to do to get a hug around here...

As promised...

This is just the funniest thing I have seen in ages - turn the volume down for video clip number two if this works! I surprised the girls by turning up in Sydney and I think it has to be the best secret and surprise I have ever kept in my life! They made it so easy for me, by sitting in reception on the internet when I turned up. I am going to leave them to tell you their views of it but here are the video clips, and you can read my perspective on my blog (www.jennyscreations.blogspot.com)
Jenny (videos wont load will try again another day)

Saturday 27 October 2007

Farewell to New Zealand






Today is a sad day, the saddest of all the sad days so far :( We left Queenstown this morning after two fantastic nights with our old bus crew. It was so good to see those guys and catch up with what they have been doing, they all said how much they had missed the infamous Essex Girls - about 4 buses in a row knew who we were because people kept talking about how much fun we were!! Hey ho - the truth always gets out evenutally!!

We have realised that everyone has an alterego, and some of them are dangerous! Gloria and Tony made some appearances over the last two days much to everyones amusement,some of the photos may explain more!!

Anyway we are now in Christchurch, literally done nothing but get straight on the internet. Waiting for Jimbob abd Kevhead to arrive as they left Queenstown a day early to go rafting so will spend the evening with them, saying our last goodbyes. We did find out that some of the bus crew will be in sydney when we are so that will be really good.

We have all loved New Zealand so much, it is such a beautiful country, we have had the most amazing time, met the most amazing people and are so sad to be leaving it. However, OZ is round the corner and so is Julie, so we will have to perk ourselves up for the next stage of our trip. We arnt even half way through yet!!!

We seem to be getting less and less comments on the blog from you guys, so come on let us know how you are as we love reading them.

Missing you all and hope all is well

Take care
xxx

Tuesday 23 October 2007

We finally jumped!!










After all the waiting and scenic flights, Debbie and Katie finally did their sky dive!! We had all been out the night before in Franz Josef, had a fantastic night with our new bus buddies, and needless to say were not in the best state to be jumping from a plane, but when we got to Wanaka and saw the amazing scenery, we literally jumped at the chance!! We decided we would be brave (or braver!) and go for the full 15,000 ft - it was amazing!!! Cannot explain the feeling, those who have done it will understand. We did it in the most beautiful spot, right by Mount Cook, and surrounded by lakes and dramatic landscape, so worth the wait. We even managed to have a chat when we were parachuting as the two divers got really close. It was definatley a highlight of the trip.

Anyway, after that we all headed to the bungy place and the driver had bought a free jump for someone and names were pulled out of a hat. Our Canadian friend Jill did it as was so brave!! Debbie would have done it if her name was pulled but the other girls didnt fancy it so Debbie was slightly relieved her name wasnt pulled although is still really tempted to give it a try!! Luckily her budget wouldnt cope so think thats out of the question!!

We are in Queenstown for 4 nights and really excited as all our first bus get in either thursday or friday so we can spend another fanatastic night with them all, we have really missed them so will be good to reunite for one last time!! We all went out last night, had a Ferg Burger which was so yummy!! the best burger we have ever had, so having another before we leave!! We had a really fun night in a few bars, getting free drinks after our bus driver one the quiz. We had our first lie in this morning for ages but we are in a room where the beds are really squeaky so every slight movement wakes you up so wasnt as good a lie in as we hoped!! Kevhead is doing the Nevis bungy today but we cant go and watch so we are just chilling out catching up on emailes etc with Jimbob. The two guys leave us on thursday but we get to spend 2 nights with them in Christchurch and as they have been with us since the very beginning it will be sad to say goodbye to them on monday when we fly to OZ but we get to see Julie which will be so exciting.

Hope all is well at home and you are enjoying out updates - take care, love to all

xxxx

Monday 22 October 2007

Frankie J's







Yesterday we went on a hike up the Franz Josef Glacier and it was spectacular. We came to the conclusion that we were all very unfit but carried on going (how we have improved from attempting to climb Snowdon) and we made it to almost the top. The guide cut away steps in the ice for you to climb and then we worked out little thighs out to pull ourselves up , when we got higher the ice was amazing and really blue (which is caused from the oxygen being severely compressed - see we have been learning) and he cut away at certain parts for us to go through, this would have been lots of fun but Stacey got stuck twice and decided that she wasn't cut out to be an ice glacier ranger. The hike was very energetic and we were out for eight hours but as we had had a few lazier days we didn't complain too much. After a soak in the hot tub we found enough energy to make it to the local bar and have a little dance before having a well deserved rest.

One more fact for all you eager beavers to learn.....it takes 50 years from the ice at the top of Franz Josef to reach the bottom.

Now that you have all learnt something new, we will leave you.

Love to you all xx

Saturday 20 October 2007

South Island Adventures......






















After leaving the North Island and some amazing people we headed out on the Ferry to the South Island with a hangover, we thought that the best remedy would be a nice fry up. How wrong we were after spending $12 (remember we are on a budget) for what looked like bolied bacon and yellow jelly rather than egg we came to the conclusion that this probably wasnt the best recovery process.

We headed down to Nelson and stayed in another nice hostel (in fact we have been very lucky with the hostels that we stayed in) we didnt do to much there and even decided to give our bodies a night of the booze......dont all be too shocked.

We left Nelson fairly early and headed out for another Walk (Jeff you would love New Zealand for all the walks and we dont even moan like Snowdon - ha ha) we headed further south to Westport where we decedied to do some horse riding. The lucky horses were, Luke (Kate's), Walter (Stacey's) and Locky (Deb's) we headed out to the fields and after no more that five minutes the heavens opened and the rain and hail stones came down and we were all soaked through......no so much fun. We deceided to call it a night and headed back the following morning which was much better and the sun shined for us, there were some beautiful scenes and it was great seeing Katie galloping - she could definately go for the 2012 olympics.

After spending a night at the most random little bar and hostel we have headed down to Frankie J's (Franz Josef for those that want the full name) and tomorrow we are heading to do an eight hour hike, which should be lots of fun.

More photo's will be uploaded soon but we have been having problems recently!

Much love to you all

The girls xx

Tuesday 16 October 2007

kiwi Experience




Sorry it has been a while since we last updated the blog but we have been having far too much fun! after leaving Fiji we spent two nights in Auckland, where we spent two lovely evenings with Staceys friend Abby, thanks Abby for dinner!! yummy!



We then headed on the Kiwi Experience, with a bunch of strangers, all slightly random and a fair bit younger then us! but it only took a few beers and a few swift dance moves before we all realised we were destined to be together on this trip!! After the second night we became a little family, cooking for each other, doing each other washing and sharing a 16 person bed!! Today is very difficult as we all split up and its going to be emtional!!



ayway....apart from serious bonding we have actually been up to a fair bit....we went White Water rafting which was really good fun and we didnt fall out! even though the instructor did! we also did Black Water Rafting which was in caves on tubes - amazing! We then all went to Sky Dive, Stacey went up first and had an amazing expience, pretty awesome! You have too wait and see the video!! Unfortunately Debbie and Katie got up in the air but the weather was so bad we got sent down again, we still havent done one so fingers crossed the weater is ok in Franz Joseph or we will have to wait till OZ I think.

We have spent the last couple of days with the group, having such a good time, lots of nights out and just generally amusing ourselves when the weather has been bad.

This morning (Wednesday) we had to leave them all behind (except Kevhead and Jimbob! who were lucky enough to be travelling the rest of New Zealand with us!) and got on the ferry to the South Island. We had a really awful cooked breakfast! (Kiwi guys if you are reading this dont have a cooked breakfast when you set sail!) but we are now in Nelson a lovely little p lace with a gorgeous hostel in an old pub. It has a beer garden and we got a bit sentimental with the boys when we thought of the others and what fun we would have all had if we had gone together....but hey ho we can be strong and try and make new friends!!!

Cannot remember what is in store for us over the next few days so will try and let you know as we do!! Hope all is well at home, please leave comments as we love to read them

xx

Tuesday 9 October 2007

Photos at last!

We have added some photos below - enjoy

xx

Monday 8 October 2007

Back to Basics




After a lot of hanging around and waiting at the wrong hotel, we finally got in the minibus to take us down to Robinson Crusoe island. This in its self was an adventure, with the Albino fijian and gay Ronnie up the front getting us there after stopping at every Mango market on route.

When we arrived at the island it was slightly different to the rest of Fiji and we soon learnt that power showers were classed as luxury items, as now we needed to fill one bucket of water in to a hanging bucket and turn the tap on to get the dribbling shower head started....you also need to be only 4ft tall....so interesting squating took place and we now all have lovely toned thighs!!

The evening activities that were put on for us were really good and involved lots of half naked toned men....sorry i mean tribal dances which included the knife and fire dance, it wasnt just the heat of the flames that was getting us all hot and flusterred (sorry boyfriends!). Later in the evening when we all cooled down it was time for games, i dont think we had laughed so much. The game consisted of two teams of 6, one at a time from each team had to run to the wooden pole, run round it 10 times and then head back to the next team member....easy! Well no not once you have had a few beers and run round the pole so many times that you literally have no clue how to walk let alone run back to your team members. Katie and Debbie went off at the same time and then both kept taking it in turns to fall flat on their backs, it was a good time had by all.

We have now arrived in Auckland where the temperature is a little cooler and the luxury of our room with no sharing with 30 other randoms!

Love you long time

xx

Saturday 6 October 2007

Easy now!

Hey just a quick post to say give us a chance with the photos! we have only just found internet service and that is very simple so finding somewhere we can download photos on is not easy! you will just have to be patient until we get to New Zealand.

xx

Friday 5 October 2007

Bula time!


Hi all - this is weird its all in German or Swedish or something so no idea if this will work!! Thanks for all your comments. we have been in Fiji now for 4 days and had a lovely time. After a 11 hr flight from LA we booked a pachage at the airport (the staff were asleep in sleeping bags when we arrived - Fiji Time!!) then we got on a 41/2 hour boat trip which just broke us! but it was so worth it the island we went to was so gorgeous. the Fijian people are the nicest peopel ever, made you feel so welcome, always singing and wanting to talk to you. we made friend with some other people on the island so that was good, the food was amazing as well so we have eaten very well including afternoon tea with this fantastic custard cake!! Stacey got very burnt - surpise surprise!!! the second night we had some Kava which is Fiji drink which numbs your tongue! the boys had quite a bit but we only managed one cup each!!! we then headed to another island with 3 others we had already met, wasnt as nice but the people were lovely and we played a very funny game of vollyball - Stacey was brill!!!! then w had a Bula night!! lots of ddancing and singing and Debbie won Musical Statues but forgot to get her surprise prize!!!

we headed to beachcomber today and have just eaten a fantastic meal and made friends with an english girl so have been chilling out in the bar.

we are off to Robinson Crusoe tomorrow for 2 nights and then to New Zealand on Monday morning - will hoepfully have more internet access then!!!
Hope all is well - sorry for bad typing, something to do with bad keyboard and 2 beers!!!

love to all]

xx

Monday 1 October 2007

sorry......

we realise there are no photos yet will try at airport!!!

Sh*tting our pants!!

sorry for the title parents....only way we could describe our little adventure today! we went to Universal studios and first ride was the House of Horrors. Picture it....Debbie leading the way, followed very closely by Stacey and kate who are holding onto each other for dear life. then an american couple decide they too need some protection so hang on to stacey's backpack. after a few brushes with wierdos, skeletons and dracula we get to the end and just before the exit this massive bald thing jumps out on us and Kate decides to run for the door but stacks it, pulling Stacey and the amercian couple down with her, (Debbie has managed to stay up right but is clinging to the wall for support) the big bald things asks Kate if she is ok but when Kate turns to see who asked her she tries to get up and run again, but yet again falling, and the american couple literally clamber over the three girls, all who have their rucksacks on to safety and the big bald thing tries to help them up but just terrifies them into making a half crawl half run for the exit where a man with a fake bloody hand is waiting and shoves it right in Kates face, much to her horror....I think the poor bald thing felt pretty guilty! needless to say the rest of the day was spent reliving the experience!

anyway we are just waiting for the bus to pick us up to take us the airport before we fly out to fiji. We arrive tuesday....saves money missing a day! will try to update from there but might have to wait a week till we are in Auckland.

Lots of love

xx