Just 7 hours until we have full access to our multi purpose vehicle, the vehicle that is going to be the roof over our head, the driving force to get us from destination to destination and the kitchen to create our meals in to satisfy our tummy's for the next month. The transition from Melbourne to here in Christchurch was as smooth as a peach apart from one little blooper... Rhy's was so sweet and decided to come to the airport with me even though we fully believed he's flight was 6 hours after mine. "Everything happens for a reason..." Couldn't possibly be more in sync with the series of events that then occurred. So how mad is this, I started randomly freaking out in the Sky Bus (airport shuffle) panicking thinking my flight was 6:25 in the morning rather 18:25 but after settling my mind Rhys decided to check he's flight time and that was a complete stinger! Rhys's flight was suppose to be 12 in the afternoon rather than in the middle of the night which we believed was he's departing time all along. Luckily he managed to get hold of a new flight leaving the same day but the best outcome out of the whole situation was that this very flight was the one I had been originally booked onto. I couldn't of possibly felt any happier tackling the journey side by side.
We arrived just short of 1am and spent the night in the airport, barely sleeping due to discomfort but discussing lots about where our next move is going to be... It's down time like this where you have so much time to reflect and to be alone with your own thoughts and I can't help but smile. Meeting and developing such a strong love for this boy like nothing I've ever experienced before and to then take our romance further and explore this phenomenal world we live in together, with my greatest companion is easily my life's biggest blessing.
Our first full proper day spent here in New Zealand was jam packed. By 11 o'clock that morning we were introduced to Naboo and on our jolly way to Lake Tekapo or (Take-a-poo) as Rhys would say! Haha. Now Naboo is the name of our mobile home and we couldn't help but crack a giggle as we can't get enough of "The Mighty Boosh" What a funny coincidence. After just 3hrs of driving, our eyes we're exposed to the most piercing blue, ginormously glitzy lake which simply left us stunned. Lake Tekapo you beauty!! We decided a dunk was necessary after being cooped up in the van dealing with the suns scorchingly powerful rays belting down on us leaving us so dank and clammy. It was liberating and livened us up. Not much further down the road we swooped into a campsite that overlooked the lake and I strongly believe we had the best spot there. Our placement was on a platform situated at the highest point of the camp sight, everything was in our peripheral vision. Waking up in the morning, peering out of the boot window to that view was spectacular, so spectacular that we decided to extend another night.
Day 2 exploring Middle earth took us on day trip to check out the highest mountain peek there is here in New Zealand. Mount Cook. Elevating as high as 12,218ft the mountain's tip looked as if it had been dipped into icing sugar. Seeing the quilt of snow whilst we were experiencing 28degree heat was just proof and provided you with a clearer idea of how high it actually was. Venturing down "Hooker Valley" was a tempting trail offer but we decided making our own pathway really was more satisfying for us. Leaping from rock to rock, having fun and feeling giddy we thoroughly enjoyed admiring Mount Cook and all its surroundings from our own peeking point. Once back at camp, much later that evening as the sun over here doesn't start setting until gone 9 o'clock we took another gander alongside the lakes riverbed. The walk was rocky and unsturdy and at one point I even took a tumble but we manage to find ourselves a boulder big enough for two star gazers. As the sun slowly said goodbye to the day, the night sky darken to a complete black out which then revealed a mind blowing amount of stars. I was so sure that every single twinkling star in the whole universe was on display to us that night. As we lye flat on our backs there in astonishment we was lucky enough to be exposed to the Milky Way, a few shooting stars and some meteors! What a perfect finish to an awesome day.
And just when we though it couldn't possibly get any better... The drive to Kaikoura the very next day only 2 1/2 hours north of Christchurch was thrilling. Narrow roads, just barely being substantial enough for two cars combined with many unexpected twists and sharp turns made cruising around tricky but increased the pounding of my heart which pumped electrifying juices around my body. The diverse landscape, flitting from lush mountain ranges, farms flourished with all different types of cattle grazing and deep canyons made it difficult to keep my eyes fixed on the road. We spent the evening sandwiched between the crashing waves of the ocean and the sensational stillness of them gorgeous mountains at a free campsite on Kaikoura's coast line.
Up at the crack of dawn and just like the grand reveal on "Stars in your eyes" we watched the haze and mist slowly part then slip away flaunting the scenery. Wowzazs!!
Swimming alongside the Dusky Dolphins was on the agenda for our 4th day in NZ... This really was the most extraordinary moment in our existence to date. All geared up in our wet suits, hoods that only revealed a small fraction of our face, snorkel kit and flippers (looking so laughable) we really did hit the jackpot and was selected to be on the first minibus who brought us to our turbo boat. The speed boat hosted 14 passengers excluding the adorably lovely, enthusiastic couple who took us out that morning in search of the Dusky Dolphins. Just to elaborate on how awesome they both are because they thoroughly deserve the credit, it was actually their day off that day. So instead of relaxing they have struck up an agreement with the company on one condition due to the huge amount of love they have for each other, the boat and the Dolphins and that is that they will work their day off as long as it's spent working alongside each other! How sweet is that!? Departing from Kaikoura's South bank at around 8:30am, nippy and nimble the boat skipped across the water a great distance away from Kaikoura's South bank in no time. We wasn't equipped with a raider or anything to locate the Dolphins all we had was 16 sets of eyes and it wasn't long before the first sighting!! Our hearts skipped a beat as we watched the Dusky's leaping elegantly in and out of the water... The boat was brought to a stand still. Now it was time to join the frenzy of 2-300 playful mammals of the sea. It really is an indescribable feeling being at one with them, in their habitat, with them being there because they want to be, some whizzing pass and some that you can actually capture their eye contact, engage with, have mutual interest and then swim round and round in circles together.
We followed, came to a halt, and swam with them a total of 4 times. The last session we had with them the Dusky's provided us with a exhilarating show, thrusting themselves high out of the water and somersaulting multiple times whilst in mid air! What a privilege and even that's an understatement! A special memory made together that will never leave forefront of our minds.
Now I sound like I'm wrapping it up here but ohhh no, hold up! There's way more to this one... Like we couldn't have struck lucky enough, as we were shore bound a fleet of bottle nosed Dolphins and pilot whales were spotted by our eagle eyed skipper!! Close enough to touch, we admired in amazement. BEST DAY EVER!!!!!!
Yet another early riser the next morning, with an 8hr voyage in front of us we wanted to start the day right. Breakfast with the seals!! No glass divide, no barriers, no trained tricks... We had exclusive access to them living and being, wild and free. They were adorable with cute little faces and big bold beautiful brown eyes. Rhys and i must have been going all mushy over them for at least an hour and a half... It was so hard to leave...

"We are now in contact with this heavenly new world, inhaling the freshness of this new life which has left us better in mind, body and soul."

Sorry it's been more than handful amount of months since I last updated you all but I'm being very strict with keeping up with the blog now. I hope you've enjoyed my first entree in a while and there will be another one to follow soon...
You are all forever in my thoughts!
Lots of love,
Orla
xXx