Saturday, January 24, 2009

Nearing the end...

So my trip is coming to a close, we fly home in two days (the 27th here) and get home (well into minneapolis) on the 27th. It's weird, we leave at about 7:30 PM on the 27th and get in at about 9:30 PM on the 27th...so we'll gain the days we lost coming over here! It's just weird that in time we'll only be two hours later getting in than when we left, but really we'll be in the air about 20 hours, plus layovers. Hopefully I can sleep most of the 12 hour flight like I did last time...and yay for in flight movies!
I am getting nice and freckly (and tan!)...and for the first time ever my legs are almost as tan as my arms!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I know...weird right?
Our last day on the beach today...really sad, especially since it was kinda rainy and cloudy, it's pouring rain right now. but still nice and warm!!!!!! :)
I miss everyone a lot...not quite enough to give up the warm weather yet, but I'm ready to come home, especially to get my horse ready for show season, only 4 months until our first one of the year, at least the first recognized one of the year, maybe we'll fit in a schooling show or two before that... (sorry, rambling!)
I hope everyone has been having a great january! I know mine has been one that has been a challenge, a learning opportunity, and tons of fun! I've gotten to know a great group of people, there has been basically no drama whatsoever, which with 16 college kids that's really surprising, but Joe did a great job of picking people that are very different, but who all get along really well!
I'm going to head back and have some dinner here soon!
I will see most of you very soon!
Love,
Lizzie

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Free Internet Halelujah!!

Wow, finally found a place that offers free unlimited internet! Most of the time I've had to pay a few dollars for about 20 minutes of internet, not enough to write a decent blog post, let me tell you! But evidently the Aussies are a bit more generous with internet than the Kiwis!
Anyway, here's the scoop!
We arrived safely in Brisbane Australia 2 days ago after flying from Queenstown, NZ to Christchurch, NZ to Brisbane. We then got our vans, loaded up our backpacks, and headed out for a several hour drive to Byron Bay, in New South Wales, Australia. We got in about 10:00PM, which felt like 1AM ish New Zealand time. We were all pretty much ready to hit the sack, but went out to grab some food, then we went to bed. It's amazing how much of the time everyone's been asleep about 11, I guess all the physical activity is wearing us out, plus we're getting up about 8:30 every morning, so that's a pretty good sleep schedule I guess.
Anyway, we woke up the next morning for our first surfing lesson! We were picked up by these hippie surfer guys and went out to a beach where they taught us safety stuff and the basics of getting up on a surf board. Then we hit the water! Literally....
Actually I wasn't half bad, I think I got up my first try for about 10 seconds at least...it was a little touch and go for a while but with the help of the surf dudes we were all very successful and figured out how to ride some waves! We surfed for a few hours, then jumped in the freshwater lake right next to the water to rinse off. Some of the guys started launching people up in the air, I pulled a pretty sweet backflip! Lots of fun! Then we went back to our accomodations (really nice by the way! Joe definitely saved the best for last!), ate some lunch, and hit the beach!
(Drew you'll be really proud and jealous right now...) Once on the beach, Reid, Ashley and I started throwing a frisbee around. Both of them are on the Ultimate Frisbee teams at school, and actually I stopped sucking at throwing a frisbee and was doing really well by the end (I even learned how to throw it forehand!). Then I layed on the beach for a while reading my book, soaking up some sun...although it was a little overcast. Went back to the house, took an unintended nap, showered, and ate really good dinner made by some of our group! We had the luxury of a television and DVD player so we watched Wedding Crashers, such a good movie! Went out to get some late night ice cream, finished reading the 3rd Twilight book, and hit the sack. Very good day!
Today we woke up and went to another surf location and everyone did better today and I was catching waves on my own and riding them all the way into the beach! I have better balance on a surf board than I thought I would! I've spent the rest of the afternoon grabbing some lunch and shopping!
This trip has been absolutely fantastic. I've learned a lot about myself, especially how to get out of my comfort zone and try new things, and I've also learned that I'm a lot stronger and more determined than I thought. I've done some stuff that I really didn't think I was capable of, at least not capable of being as successful as I was, and it's been a real growing experience! (Plus the fact that the trip is in new zealand and australia really doesn't hurt either ;))
I'm ready to get home to see my family, friends, and especially my horse...but not quite ready for cold weather or classes, but that goes with the territory I suppose.
I feel like I've been here a really long time, but it also has gone SO fast...crazy!
Everyone should leave me some comments :) I'm curious as to who has been reading my blog! If you can't comment just shoot me an email... sauter.elizabeth@gmail.com
See a lot of you soon!
<3 Lizzie

Monday, January 19, 2009

Rock Climbing and horseback riding!

Hey everyone!
It's been a fun few days! Yesterday we were in Wanaka, which is just an hour from queenstown. We went rock climbing yesterday, way fun! We also repelled and went on a "mission" which was the craziest freaking thing I've done in my life. We were literally going through bushes and thorns, over boulders, into caves, through little tiny holes in rocks that I didn't think we were going to fit through, and on ledges, without rock climbing equipment, totally not safe. But we survived and it was fun when it was over..but I thought our guide person was definitely on crack. He was insane.
Today I went shopping this morning (now that I won't have to hike with my backpack anymore, I can load that puppy up!) and bought some good stuff, an outfit to wear here while going out, since all I have is hiking clothes...definitely not club material! I'm excited to wear my new swimsuit on the beach in Australia (we leave for the land down under tomorrow!)
I went horseback riding this afternoon, it was really nice, I was wishing that I was riding my horse, with all of my barn friends with me, but this was the next best thing! Rode a quick little horse who was a bit cheeky, but it was a lot of fun, the guide was really cool!
We're going out tonight to celebrate our last night in NZ before Australia so that should be fun!
Stay warm!
<3 Lizzie

Sunday, January 18, 2009

I SURVIVED THE ROUTEBURN!!!!!!!!!!

You should probably look up the Routeburn hiking track if you have never heard of it. It's slightly INSANE. 3 days of hiking up/on/down a mountain...a very steep sided mountain by the way. Especially the second day where we were up above the tree line (about 4000 feet) in the wind and rain (brr...i know i know it's 30 below at home...but damp and cold isn't pleasant, but I'll take it over the weather at home) when a foot to the right of the trail the mountain drops off really sharply is a little nerve racking. One false move (especially with how graceful I am) could take you right down the mountain...ouch! But we all survived fine, a little wet and cold, but no worse for the wear! Some of the most spectacular views I have ever seen in my life! Definitely made the moments where I was asking myself what I was thinking when I signed up for the trip (aka along the ridge in the wind and cold on the steep mountain for 4 hours the second day) worth it! The huts we stayed in are nice, minus being in a room with a lot of snorers, and no showers....or electricity...I was defintely glad for a shower and laundry facilities today. We were all a little rank...
Today once we got off of the trail we headed up to queenstown (a pretty big very touristy town, with lots of adventure opportunities) and grabbed a bite of lunch, and I booked my horse trek for Tuesday which I am very excited about. On the way up to Wanaka (where we will rock climb tomorrow) we stopped at AJ Hackets bungy jumping where 3 of the girls bungy jumped on the bridge which was the very first bungy site in the world! I was tempted...but not enough to actually go.
So I'm safe and sound off the routeburn! Having fun! Missing home, all of you, and especially my horse! More soon!

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Milford Sound

KiaOra from Milford Sound, NZ!
We drove today from TeAnau to Milford Sound, where we went on a boat ride through the sounds, which was breathtaking. The scenery was beautiful, and we saw a bunch of seals. The coolest part though was that there were dolphins swimming along beside the boat and jumping right in front of us for about 20 minutes, I have video and pictures, very very very cool! You should look up dusky dolphins, they're pretty different from our normal bottlenose dolphins, way pretty.
Tomorrow we start the Routeburn Trek, where we will be hiking for 3 days...I'm not super excited I have discovered that hiking is not my favorite past time, it's fine and worth doing once in a while but there's other stuff I'd pick to do instead...but oh well, it's all about personal growth right???
I miss my horse....if someone wants to send her over here I'd be tempted to stay a while longer...not that I don't miss you all but it's a lot easier to talk to you than it is to see her from another hemisphere.
Also sorry for the lack of phone calls...the pay phones here don't really like my phone card b/c it was bought in the states, even though it's an international phone card...whatever!!
You all should email me and tell me what's going on in your lives!!!
<3 <3

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Just arrived in Queenstown

Hey everyone!
I just got off a plane in Queenstown (still in NZ) from Christchurch, we'll chill in TeAnau tonight, go for a boat ride tomorrow, and then start hiking the Routeburn trek the next day, and be hiking for 3 days 2 nights.
I haven't decided whether I'm going to bungee jump, skydive, jet boat, or go riding through where Lord of the Rings was filmed, I'm leaning towards the horseback riding A) because I am going crazy not getting on a horse and B) when am i going to get to ride in NZ??? and C) because it'd be sweet to ride where all the riding of LOTR was.. oh and D) b/c i'm going crazy not being on a horse!!!!

I hope everything is going great!

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Survived the Abel Tasman!!!

Hey guys I just have about 4 minutes left before my internet runs out!
I survived the Abel Tasman kayak/hiking trip. A whole pod of dolphins (at least a dozen) swam right up to and under our kayaks! It was so cool! (I was thinking about how it was Julia's relatives the whole time haha). The hikes were challenging, and pushed me a lot, I was definitely a little sore by the end, but huge feeling of accomplishment when finished for sure!!! It was beautiful and I can't wait to show you all pictures.! We've been having fantastic weather, 70s and 80s, we've had basically no rain besides that first day, so it's glorious!!! I know it's the coldest week of the year back home, so sorry I'm missing it!
We went white water rafting today and it was tons and tons of fun! I'm going to try to get on tomorrow but I don't have anny more coins to put in the machine!!
Love and miss you all!!!

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Sitting in the fanciest mcdonalds ever

Hey everyone! I'm currently in Nelson, NZ grabbing some lunch at the fanceist mcdonalds I have ever seen in my life. They have a few computers so I am taking a few minutes to write in here, check email, etc. We are on our way from Punga Cove to another part of NZ. The drive into Punga Cove is the twistiest road ever, I don't normally feel car sick but omg that made me so nauseous.
But Punga cove was really pretty, we did some kayaking yesterday, which the wind made some of it a little scary but overall it was really fun. I've learned how to play eucre (spelling?), we went on a tough hike yesterday, and have done a lot of cool stuff.
This trip is really pushing me which is great, I can already feel that I'm in better shape than I was. I have some nice sunburn on my thighs....feels great! not. but oh well, it could be a lot worse.
New Zealand accents are the best, by the way. I'm definitely going to bust it out every so often so you all better be ready!! (This post is super random, hopefully I'll have time soon to really write out a lot, I have everything down in a journal so expect more in a few days.
Tomorrow we start the first of our multiple day hikes, we're hiking and kayaking the Able Tasman trek, which should be really awesome!! I hope everything there is great, I heard there was a nice ice storm the other day. Stay warm and safe!
<3 Lizzie

Monday, January 5, 2009

Punga Cove

The day before yesterday we went on a really cool hike that took us up on a crest overlooking the ocean, which turned around and came back along the beach/rocky beach. We had saw a bunch of seals, had a kind of scary run in with a few but everyone is just fine!
Yesterday we arrived in Punga Cove, which is in the Malborough Sounds region of the south island. We started our drive from Kaikoura at about 9:30, and at about 11 we stopped at the Montana vinyard and winery and did a tour and wine tasting, very cool, then stopped in Blenheim (about 10 minutes past that), on the way to which we passed some horses and a sign that said dressage center...I might go crazy with all the great horses here not getting on one, but perhaps in Queenstown. We got groceries and then continued on our trek to Punga Cove, which was several hours and super windy and sketchy, but we made it here alright! It's absolutely gorgeous!
Went on a 4 hour hike this morning, lots and lots of hills...ouch! But amazing views made it worth it, I'm going to be in such good shape when I get home!!!
I would type more but this internet is super slow and expensive.
I hope all is well at home!!!
Lizzie

Saturday, January 3, 2009

Safe and sound in New Zealand!

After a very long few days of travel (4 hours Minneapolis to San Fran, 7 hour layover, 12.5 hours to Aukland, NZ, 2 hour layover, and 1.5 hours to Christchurch, plus several hours of driving in NZ) I am finally in the land of the Kiwi's!!! Let me tell you, it is absolutely beautiful!! From the hostel we are staying in I can see beautiful mountains and the ocean, and if we look at the right time supposedly we will be able to see whales and dolphins in the water!!
We got in to Aukland at 4:30ish in the morning New Zealand time, then arrived in Christchurch about 8:30, and let me tell you my body was confused. They served us breakfast in the last part of our flight to aukland so by the time we reached Christchurch we were all ready for some lunch...at the Kiwi's typical breakfast hour, but we're acclimating and so "no worries!". We got in, our leader Joe and one of the student's bags didn't make it but are supposed to arrive tomorrow, so no big deal! We all made it through customs and got in our rental vans and drove around Christchurch and up to another town to go to a local market and to get some lunch (I'm sure the name will come right back to me after I post this), then back to Christchurch to go to the beach to watch some sand volleyball. Unfortunately it was a little rainy and a bit chilly (but still much better than home!) so we didn't stick around the beach too long, and we got in the vans for our drive up to Kaikoura. The drive took us through mountains and along the ocean, seeing many different trees, and types of vegetation, as well as many sheep, a bunch of cows, and a few horses too (I saw some jumping type stuff set up and kind of want to try my hand at a new zealand horse). Towards the end of the drive it was really twisty and right along the cliffs down to the ocean and we had a little hairy moment when there was a huge semi tailgating us down these narrow twisty NZ roads, but Joe pulled over and let him pass and it was all good! Totally weird driving on the left side of the road, by the way!
Our hostel in Kaikoura (Dolphin Lodge) is simple, but has quite possibly one of the most gorgeous views I have ever seen! An intense game of wiffle ball before dinner, overlooking mountains and the ocean, and a relaxing soak in the hot tub (to get out all the aches of travel, my back was definitely a hurting unit) rounded out the evening, a quick shower, a check of the email and blog entry and I'm about ready to head towards bed. Tomorrow we're just chilling in Kaikoura, maybe hitting the beach, we were going to swim with dolphins but the place is completely booked because this is big tourism season for them, so I think we're just going to take it easy and recoup from the trip.
I hope everyone is having a great start to their new year!! Leave me some comments, or shoot me an email or facebook message!!! I wish you all could see this, if you ever get the opportunity to come to New Zealand, even from what I've seen in less than 24 hours, jump at the chance, you will not regret it!!!!
<3 <3 <3