SIBylle reisverslag
Door: Vera
Blijf op de hoogte en volg Vera
21 December 2015 | Nieuw Zeeland, Wellington
Lieve vrienden,
Het spijt me dat ik al zo snel gestopt was met het bijhouden van mijn blog, de laatste maanden studeren waren erg hectisch, en bijna gelijk erna vertrok ik voor drie weken naar het zuidereiland. Alhoewel ik mijn blog dus eigenlijk al zo goed als opgegeven had, werd me door mijn studentenvereniging gevraagd een stukje voor hun tijdschrift, SIBylle, te schrijven. Het beschrijft mijn avonturen hier, een deel herhaling met mijn blog dus, maar een groot deel gaat over mijn reis in het zuidereiland, dus ik dacht laat ik het hier ook maar gewoon posten :) Het is dit keer wel in het Engels, gezien het voor mijn internationale studentenvereniging is..
Dear SIBylle,
The last six months have passed so quickly! It feels like a few weeks ago that I started my minor in Wellington. While I am enjoying my break right now (it is finally summer here), I can already look back at some amazing months full of crazy people, interesting lectures and lecturers, a silly accent, beautiful views and awesome activities.
For example, in one of the first weeks, I hitch-hiked together with a friend to the beautiful Raglan, apparently the best surfing spot of New Zealand. Even though we had some crazy drivers and had to wait for a bit on the road, we managed to get there in one day (it is about a 9 hour drive, we did it in 12 hours). The next day we were planning on surfing, expecting someone from the hostel to go with us. But after a short introduction of 5 minutes, they gave us the surfboards, a car key, and good luck xD While we could not surf at all, we had a really fun time at a beautiful remote beach (see photo). Still my favourite beach of New Zealand.
In September I had a little break from uni and went travelling in the most northern part of the North Island (above Auckland). I visited a girl I met on the plain, who was studying in Auckland, and a kiwi boy who I also met on the plain and who lived in a remote area amongst beautiful beaches. Because it was still winter here, the hostels were almost deserted. Sometimes I had a 12dorm for myself. While it sometimes felt a bit lonely, especially when there was also no wifi available, it was mostly extremely relaxing and the places where so beautiful!
One of my highlights was the diving I did at the Poor Knight Islands. Although it was quite expensive, it was definitely worth it. So much to see, little snakes, lots of fish, stingrays, a cave, and so many colours! I also visited Waitangi, where they have a museum about the treaty of Waitangi, the document that made New Zealand part of England. Really interesting, because even now, 175 years after it was signed, there is still much discussion about it in the New Zealand government. This because the English translation of the treaty is different from the Maori version (the language of first inhabitants of New Zealand). At the museum I also watched a Maori performance, and took a picture with the performers.
After I finished my exams I went on a road trip to the South Island with three friends from uni. In three weeks we saw as much as we could. We started with a 6 hour walk in Abel Tasman national park, with beautiful weather. Drove to a clear lake with the mountains mirroring in it. Went for some incredible walks in the rain forest (exactly like in the movie Avatar). Discovered amazing caves with glow worms. Saw multiple seal colonies. Walked to the Fox and Franz Josef glaciers. Saw the famous tree in the lake at Wanaka. Did (finally!) the historical bungee jump in Queenstown (the place where the first touristic bungee jump ever took place). Went to the gigantic mountains in the Milford Sound. Were blown away in the most southern point of the South Island, Slopy Point. Slept in amazing hostels and remote farmhouses. Saw the Niagara Falls of NZ, one of the smallest falls in the world (not kidding). Looked for penguins multiple times but never saw one. Were drunk after one drink because of the absence of alcohol. Drove to the highest mountain of Australazia, Mount Cook, and stayed in an awesome tramping hut there. Went to see Christchurch, the once famous city but now still recovering from the earth quake that took place about 5 years ago. And finished with a whale watch tour which was great because of the many many dolphins.
The last month I stayed in Wellington with my boyfriend (yeah, really.. cannot control love unfortunately). Spending Christmas and New Year together. After another road trip of three weeks in the North Island in January (with e.g. Hobbiton, Skydiving and another big walk) it is unfortunately already time to go home.. But to be honest, after almost 7 months it is about to get time to see my friends and family again :)
However, New Zealand will for always be in my heart.
See you soon!
Love, Vera
Het spijt me dat ik al zo snel gestopt was met het bijhouden van mijn blog, de laatste maanden studeren waren erg hectisch, en bijna gelijk erna vertrok ik voor drie weken naar het zuidereiland. Alhoewel ik mijn blog dus eigenlijk al zo goed als opgegeven had, werd me door mijn studentenvereniging gevraagd een stukje voor hun tijdschrift, SIBylle, te schrijven. Het beschrijft mijn avonturen hier, een deel herhaling met mijn blog dus, maar een groot deel gaat over mijn reis in het zuidereiland, dus ik dacht laat ik het hier ook maar gewoon posten :) Het is dit keer wel in het Engels, gezien het voor mijn internationale studentenvereniging is..
Dear SIBylle,
The last six months have passed so quickly! It feels like a few weeks ago that I started my minor in Wellington. While I am enjoying my break right now (it is finally summer here), I can already look back at some amazing months full of crazy people, interesting lectures and lecturers, a silly accent, beautiful views and awesome activities.
For example, in one of the first weeks, I hitch-hiked together with a friend to the beautiful Raglan, apparently the best surfing spot of New Zealand. Even though we had some crazy drivers and had to wait for a bit on the road, we managed to get there in one day (it is about a 9 hour drive, we did it in 12 hours). The next day we were planning on surfing, expecting someone from the hostel to go with us. But after a short introduction of 5 minutes, they gave us the surfboards, a car key, and good luck xD While we could not surf at all, we had a really fun time at a beautiful remote beach (see photo). Still my favourite beach of New Zealand.
In September I had a little break from uni and went travelling in the most northern part of the North Island (above Auckland). I visited a girl I met on the plain, who was studying in Auckland, and a kiwi boy who I also met on the plain and who lived in a remote area amongst beautiful beaches. Because it was still winter here, the hostels were almost deserted. Sometimes I had a 12dorm for myself. While it sometimes felt a bit lonely, especially when there was also no wifi available, it was mostly extremely relaxing and the places where so beautiful!
One of my highlights was the diving I did at the Poor Knight Islands. Although it was quite expensive, it was definitely worth it. So much to see, little snakes, lots of fish, stingrays, a cave, and so many colours! I also visited Waitangi, where they have a museum about the treaty of Waitangi, the document that made New Zealand part of England. Really interesting, because even now, 175 years after it was signed, there is still much discussion about it in the New Zealand government. This because the English translation of the treaty is different from the Maori version (the language of first inhabitants of New Zealand). At the museum I also watched a Maori performance, and took a picture with the performers.
After I finished my exams I went on a road trip to the South Island with three friends from uni. In three weeks we saw as much as we could. We started with a 6 hour walk in Abel Tasman national park, with beautiful weather. Drove to a clear lake with the mountains mirroring in it. Went for some incredible walks in the rain forest (exactly like in the movie Avatar). Discovered amazing caves with glow worms. Saw multiple seal colonies. Walked to the Fox and Franz Josef glaciers. Saw the famous tree in the lake at Wanaka. Did (finally!) the historical bungee jump in Queenstown (the place where the first touristic bungee jump ever took place). Went to the gigantic mountains in the Milford Sound. Were blown away in the most southern point of the South Island, Slopy Point. Slept in amazing hostels and remote farmhouses. Saw the Niagara Falls of NZ, one of the smallest falls in the world (not kidding). Looked for penguins multiple times but never saw one. Were drunk after one drink because of the absence of alcohol. Drove to the highest mountain of Australazia, Mount Cook, and stayed in an awesome tramping hut there. Went to see Christchurch, the once famous city but now still recovering from the earth quake that took place about 5 years ago. And finished with a whale watch tour which was great because of the many many dolphins.
The last month I stayed in Wellington with my boyfriend (yeah, really.. cannot control love unfortunately). Spending Christmas and New Year together. After another road trip of three weeks in the North Island in January (with e.g. Hobbiton, Skydiving and another big walk) it is unfortunately already time to go home.. But to be honest, after almost 7 months it is about to get time to see my friends and family again :)
However, New Zealand will for always be in my heart.
See you soon!
Love, Vera
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Je kunt nu ook Smileys gebruiken. Via de toolbar, toetsenbord of door eerst : te typen en dan een woord bijvoorbeeld :smiley
