April 13 - 6 pm

Started a new book yesterday- Hemingway's For Whom The Bell Tolls. I'm sitting in the reading loft at Hogwartz - my hostel in Dunedin, it's a really neat old building. It was actually the Catholic bishop's home from the 1870s. No bunk beds! And really nice bathrooms! Exciting! But it was a hard journey from the bus stop to the hostel..
I first had to walk to the bus stop this morning in Cromwell. A long walk, but along a flat, straight road. The 3.5 hour ride to Dunedin was a scenic one. Like all of my bus trips. Green pastures, fall colors, hills and mountains, never a dull view. But then we arrived at the bus terminal. I started my trek toward the city centre. Started out flat, suddenly started to climb a little, then a bit more, and then I was hiking. And sweating. And aching. It took me about 30 minutes. Through the city centre, uphill all the way. The whole way I was wishing I had called a taxi.. But I made it. And it was worth it to be in this hostel I think. But I might need to get a massage when I get home.
I walked around downtown Dunedin a bit, around the Octagon, which is the city centre, and down George St. And some of the surrounding areas. Lots of young people, lots of cool boutique shopping and trendy skate brand shops and cafes. I was hungry for lunch, but had a hard time finding a place I wanted to go to (or could afford that wasn't McDonald's). But a burger sounded good (as usual) and I went to Velvet Burger. Kinda like a Fergburger or Burger Fuel - I had a lamb burger that was like a gyro on a bun. Lamb patty, cucumber and yoghurt sauce, tomato and lettuce. But it was really good. Accompanied by a world famous L&P soda (only famous in New Zealand). I love that NZ soda and I will miss it when I get back to America..
Went to the library for Internet, talked to mom and pop on the phone, and went grocery shopping. I needed Weetbix and milk.. Another NZ staple I will miss dearly.
No plans yet for tonight. I'll probably go out and walk around, see what the people of Dunedin are up to on this Saturday night. Gotta live it up - second to last Saturday down under!

April 12 - 9:45 pm

This morning I woke up to the most perfect weather. Not a cloud in the sky. Not a breeze in the trees. I just wanted to be outside! So I got ready quick, checked out of my room, and was on the Hooker Valley Trail by 8:45. The sun was just starting to warm up the air. It was silent except for the chirping of birds. I can't fully describe the greatness of this morning. The view of the mountains just kept getting better, the further down the trail I went. I was just so happy. It was an easy walk, with a few lookout points and stops along the way. An alpine memorial for those who have died on the mountains in the national park. Mueller Glacier viewpoint, two long swing bridges.. The trail ended at Mueller Lake, which sits below Mt. Cook, and is a gray color. Enormous ice chunks float in it. I stopped there at the top of the trail for about a half hour, elated. One of the best parts of my whole trip. This place is gold.
I only wish I would have come here with my parents when they were here on the South Island. I think they really would have loved it too. Welp, maybe next time!
I got back to the village around 1 o'clock and ate my sandwich and apple at the Hermitage hotel up on the balcony which has a perfect view of the mountains. The sun was still shining brightly. I was bummed I had to leave. But also so grateful I was able to hike around the area today, since yesterday turned out so bad.
I caught my bus to Cromwell arriving just before 5:30. I walked the 1.2 km to my hostel, which is also a holiday park - like a KOA. Maybe the worst hostel yet. At least as far as management goes. Very unhelpful, unfriendly, and offputting. Yeah, don't like 'em. But I'm in my own room, so there's the silver lining. Getting up early tomorrow. Bus to Dunedin leaves at 8:35 and I have to walk back to the bus stop.
Just two more weeks..