[Days 14-15] Ever Had An Eyegasm?

From Napier we roll down to port city Wellington, take a ferry to South Island, head over to nearby Nelson, go out for a solid dinner, and crash for the night.

Morning arrives. We go to an internet cafe for emails etc. but prices are ridiculous. Over it. Stock up on groceries and begin the 8 hr drive down to Fox Glacier.

Everyone on North Island said South Island landscape is heavenly... WOW were they right. Brad, in a voice of satori awe: “I think my eyes just threw up because this is so sic.” He rambles on about the overwhelming serenity. I'm at a lost for words the whole way, aside from the constant outpour of "Woah!" "Phew!" "Oh My Gosh!" "This is it!" and "Look at that!"

... doesn't give the view justice AT ALL but gives you an idea

Snowcapped mountains peak over every horizon. Distant huge hills are in every direction, wrapped in blankets of ancient trees and brilliant grass. The immense valleys between are sheathed in breathtaking pastures, which are speckled with sparse groups of sheep, cattle, and deer. We drive over bridges and see large herds trotting on white-rock riverbeds... Lion King meets Lord of the Rings. We drive by fields and spook farm animals, they run and jump and kick away. The curvy 2-lane highway is lined with neon green shrubbery.

On that note, heart-felt impressions consequent to the rich hues in the countryside are truly indescribable. Prior to this trip, we often asked people about their adventures. “Man, you just gotta go” they would say. Now we comprehend what they meant. Life here is an Ansel Adams photograph, and that's an understatement.

At sunset we're on the coast. We pass by a lake and stop at for a stretch


During those 8 blissful hours we pass through just 3 towns, each of which is a miniature Leucadia. The rest is very rural farmland and we see just 4 people walking along the highway:

1.A petite mother pushing a stroller. Olive skin, long black hair, 50ish, straight out of Fiddler on the Roof. Exudes humble confidence; walks with the peaceful strength of someone weathered.

2.A young girl in a red shirt and jeans. Short black hair flips and flops as she swings a white beach bucket and skips along the shoulder. Her freckled pale face is pouting curiously hard.

3.An enormous girl no older than 13. Bradon spots her first. Says she's a combination of pre-teen Rosie O'Donnell and Miss Piggy. Personally, she's more of an awkward adolescent American Gladiator. She's wears a sky blue jersey, black shorts, royal blue shin-guards, and red soccer kleets. Walks like a marine. As we drive past she scowls a confused pitbull glare.

4.Middle-aged woman, 5'3”, 190 lbs. Wears a white tank top and black spandex leggings. Highlighted brunette mullet flows in the wind. She is mowing a grass lawn that is literally adjacent to the highway, and though she squints into reddening sun light, she mows with such ardent enthusiasm, like a Japanese person competing in karaoke tournament on their birthday night.

.......... wish I could make this stuff up!

We're becoming a family; each day we grow more comfortable around one another. Our girls kick ass! ...always laughing, always singing, always joking and dancing. They use the most random English expressions: “Ooo la la” ; “Woop Woop” ; “Hoo Hoo” ; “Uua Uua”. Easy going, clean, adventurous, and cute... the perfect travel companions!

Check 'em out on Facebook: Pernilla Lonnborg, Ida Freiholtz, Malin Hellstrom, Anna Josefsson

Learning Swedish is extremely difficult. The language is different to the extent that it's like learning to hop on one foot backwards, blindfolded, and drunk. Here's what I got so far (written as pronounced... they use crazy letters)
Good__Bra; Thank you__Tck; Happy__Glod; Beautiful__Vaquert; 1, 2, 3__Ett, Tuoua, Tree; Beer_Uurl; Listen to this song it's awesome!_Leussna poa den harr loatun den arrgrim; I love you_ Yag oalskar dey.

Today was naked & insane. Tonight will be sloppy. Tomorrow’s likely involve lighting couches on fire. Talk to you soon! Sweet as & happy days mate!









http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=af-GCGBiZUY