A Christmas Story

Xmas midnight treat.

Celebrating Chrismakkah abroad was an interesting experience.  I lit the candles over FaceTime with my family, and I spent the Eve walking around downtown Queenstown handing out dessert.  The second part of that story came about when I went for food at my favorite bakery.  I am a familiar face there, and have befriended most of the employees there.  They gifted me a box of 6 berry tarts, which absolutely made my night.  I ate one, and decided to share the rest with whomever.  The worthy recipients were two different bouncers, a girl who didn't get into one of the bars, an acquaintance/ bartender, and a police woman.  Each was as surprised as the next to be offered a midnight treat, but the gratitude and smiles shared showed that it meant a lot to each of them.  I did it because I wanted to share something tasty, and spread a little happiness if possible.  To me, it was a great improvisation to the evening and I wouldn't have wanted to spend it any other way.
For most people, the holidays are about relaxation, letting loose, and enjoying things in excess.  I am not most people.  On Christmas morning, I did this:

Strava keeping the logbook tidy.

This was one of the most, if not "the" most brutal ride I've done.  It was so steep, unrelenting, and there were multiple occasions on which I didn't think I was going to be able to finish the ride.  It was Sufferfest '14, and it was one of the best days in a long time.  By the time I had reached the top, I had exhausted my water and food supply, so I was running on fumes.  Thankfully, the stream running through the area was of glacial origins and was fine for drinking (which I thought was super cool - first time I've been able to dunk my water bottle into running water and drink the contents).  After enjoying nature's water cooler, I pointed the bike down hill, and the real fun began; The descent was worth the ride up.  It was a little sketchy, but I sure was having a riot of a time - and passing a car on the way down was just the cherry on top.  The inspiration for this ride was, "Just to say I did it", and I'm glad I did, despite the insane climb.  The views were stunning, and the speeds were high, however, I won't be doing it again any time soon!

5km point/Just above the lodge/Top of the ski lift

No Plans Are The Best Plans

Friday Night gave a glimps into Saturday's weather.

Waking up to grey skies on a Saturday morning is usually how a lazy day starts off.  But, as everyone knows, I'm not your average person who is discouraged by a little less-than-ideal weather, and I saw this as an opporitunty to get out and potentially have the trails all to myself.  So, I made some breakfast (lunch; let's be honest, I woke up at 10:30 and ate late), read for a bit, and set out on a little mid-afternoon excursion.  I wanted to explore a trail segment call "Gold Digger" a fair distance outside of town, and knew immediately that it would be void of any traffic once I set out riding to the trailhead with a decent headwind and a wall of rain up the lake moving towards me.
Getting out to the area where the trail is located is a solid effort in itself, and in an effort to preserve myself for the "real riding", I got passed on a climb up the highway by some guy who smirked as he hoofed by...it was pretty funny actually, and I heckled him as he faded up the hill away from me.  I finally got out to where I needed to be and began the acent.  It was a fun little ride, and provided a nice warm up to what would become the real bulk of the day's ride.  By the time I got to the top of the initial climb, I was soaked - not just, "light rain/a little wet", try, "Tossed in a lake fully clothed".  The rain had found its way over to me finally, and it seemed quite eager to make itself known; Message received as I wiped rain from my eyes and tried to not drown while on a bike.  Thankfully it was warm, my spirits were high, and I was having fun getting covered in terra firma and various types of flora kicked up by the tires.
As it turns out, Gold Digger ended at the top of Moke Road, which is named as such because it goes out to Moke Lake.  I had seen this on a map, but wasn't quite sure of the exact proximity of my location to the lake.  In the true spirit of adventure, I continued on climbing up into the hills to see what was on the otherside.  After confirming my location and the distance to the lakes from a kind driver-by (a guy I'd actually briefly encounted downtown as we had both almost been run-down by the same camper van as we crossed the street), I continued on through the onslaught of warm Summer rain.  The staggering scereny was worth the effort alone, as the road wound it's way down a valley floor between two towering peaks, the sides of which came down abruptly to floor at 45+ degree angles - the mountains are impossibly steep here, I can't emphasize that enough.  These majestic giants were my main company for the day, along with countless sheep and cows, as the route to the lake goes through three different stations [farms].

Out to, and around Moke Lake.

The first of only three people out of cars I met was Sarah From Canada Who Everyone Thinks Is An American; Bummer dude, you're doing it wrong [you want people to think you're Canadian, not a Yank down here].  Quite the character, way out of her element, but going for it nonetheless.  I was quite amused when she asked if I had walked up the initial hill to get up towards the lake - definitely not!  We carried on in opposite directions, and I was keen to find something that would provide respite from the unrelenting rain.  As it were, it finally stopped raining right as I found some shelter, but the peace of mind was nice moment in which I could relax and eat before the return trip out of the hills.  There is a little loop around Moke Lake which I opted to ride as it finished back on the road, headed back the way I came.  It was a qaint twenty minute ride, repleat with excellent views, unnerving vertical drops to the water below, and a reminder than following an impluse can lead to really cool places and provide for a killer afternoon ride.
I wasn't well-prepared for this ride, but experience kept me out of trouble and on track.  I had adiquate clothing, enough food and water, and paced myself as to not burn out and safey complete the day of riding.  All told, I rode just shy of 28 miles in about 3.5 hours, and over 3,600ft of climbing.  Bigger rides like this, with inclimate weather, and no plan are what I love to do.  The zen found while zoned out, looking at the surroundings, turning over the pedals is what it's all about for me.  I felt like I was out in the middle of nowhere, without anyone around, and yet, I was only ever a couple miles from a house, town, or camp ground.  The serenity of the scenery, the majesty of the back drop, and the mixed elements mades for a truly memorable afternoon out among the pristine landscape of eNZed.

Riding out, back to a hot shower and some food.

Over The Hills And Far Away

Some days you wake up, and you know it's a day for adventure. I've been in Queenstown for a month now, and I've still only seen a small percentage of the area. I'm not one to settle for only seeing the main strip, and so, I made a point this week to put in the sweat-equity and get outside of town.
The beauty of a bike is that it's freedom on two wheels, the only cost comes in the form of calories. With the sun setting as 9:45pm here, I started my string of adventures at 7pm last night and rode West, out of town, just to see what was there. I found some great overlooks, as well as a local trail center - win/win. Less than good, I ran out of water about halfway home, but that's just a minor detail. I rewarded myself with pizza and a donut; I earned it I think.

Nearly dropped my bike in the lake trying to get the shot...

I woke up today to beautiful blue skies, a bursting sun, and a vague sense that today needed more adventure. There is a bike/foot track that rims the lake, and I was keen to see what the things south of town were like.
With better preparation and a sense of determination, I embarked on what turned out to be the longest ride I've done in a number of years. It was a solid grind, and Strava tells me it amounted to all of this:

#stravduro 

Not bad for a Friday afternoon.
The real story lies in details of this ride though. There was a fair bit of elevation gain as it apparent, and that created some stunning views of the surrounding mountains. The setting was so dynamic, as the wind gusted through the tall grass at the top of Jacks Point, it all seemed as alive and fluid as the water in the lake below. It felt like a fairytale setting...or Lord Of The Rings.

Not bad:  The Remarkables to the East, and Lake Wakatipu to the West.

I will forever marvel at the places a bike has taken me, and continue to pursue more extravagant locations and push my own limits, all for the views, the feeling of accomplishment, and the stories that come from getting out there and pushing oneself.

Lake-side watching the sunset.

Different Isn't A Bad Thing

When we experience something new, I think we tend to try draw lines in our minds to similar memories and events. For me though, I am trying to get as far away from familiar as possible. I don't want the same, the comfortable, the "known" - the world is well-discovered, but I want to turn over my own stones, have a go drawing new lines to the unknown.

Here on the other side of the world, there are a lot of familiar sights and sounds, as is to be expected in an English-speaking, first-world country. However, there are many more striking differences compared to places I've been or have lived before. Frankly, most of them are a pleasant relief from many things I'd consider grievances.
Americans should take better note of their worldly neighbors, and this quaint island nation wouldn't be a bad place to start. The minimum wage here is $14/hr, and while that is to slightly reflect the marginally higher costs of living, on a whole it provides substantial support for a booming middle class, and allows for a great deal more mobility, literally and figuratively.
Something else I have been able to take full advantage of is the ACC, or more plainly, the socialized healthcare. Accidents, like physical injury, are covered under governmental care and even someone who is not a citizen (like me) is taken care of under the system. It is fantastic. The care is comprehensive and all-inclusive.
Furthermore, most of the cars here are turbo diesel, and economy sized. SUVs are not common and most cars on the road are at least ten years old. One's status here is of little concern, it is all about just living a good life. Sure, this is the South Island - things are a little different compared to Wellington or Aukland, but on a whole, life here is on a very even keel.
However, some things don't change, and while I stood at the waterfront typing this, I was approached by two random Frenchmen who wanted to know where they could score some weed...classic. That was made up for though, as for the past half-hour I've been standing in this place, a guy has been perched on the seawall just down the way from me, pleasantly playing his ukulele, as the waves softly break upon the shore.
Queenstown isn't a really good example of Kiwi culture per se, but it is without a doubt a cultural hub and epicenter for a very interesting mixing and mingling of folks from all around the globe - a strong portion of whom are here for the sun, the mountains, and the other like-minded people that flock to just this kind of place. At the end of the day, I still feel like I'm adjusting, but that is just how moving goes: it takes time to find a steady rhythm.

Out In The Mix

  Summer is here, Summer is here!  The first nice day of the season was so memorable, the town has been talking about Tuesday all week, as though it will now be a day to remember for all of time...to be fair, it was a magnificent day!  It is a slight relief that the sun has finally come to play, and the blue skies are less clouded than when I first arrived - I was starting to worry that I really hard dragged the shitty Fall weather down to the underside of the World with me!  I have yet to develop a good base tan (cue collective laugh, as that has never happened), so the greater Queenstown area has been spared the blinding shine of my still very pale self - I'm keeping myself wrapped up like a present under the tree.

"The Tuesday" everyone's talking about, as seen from my balcony.

  In a totally unrelated segue, I feel like I'm really settling in, as I have now earned my first free coffee from a local shop (buy five, get the sixth one free!) - of course I measure my success of "localizing" myself by how familiar I am with local baristas.  I think building rapport with the people who serve your coffee and drive your bus route are the two most pragmatic and effective alliances one can build in a new place.  A good cuppa and someone who knows why you're chasing their bus will make sure your days run a little more smoothly, even when they're not.
  As mentioned previously, this town really is full of good-natured and nice people.  The level of friendliness makes it incredibly easy to make friends if you're willing to put yourself out there - a very high ROI for someone as sociable as I am.  I attended a Birthday BBQ on Friday, only really knowing the person hosting, and left with a whole new social group.  It is a great feeling to find a group of like-minded people with like-interests, who are also welcoming of new people; it was a hilarious evening and I'm certain there will be more shenanigans like that in the future.  Keeping with the out-going nature of this adventure, I decided to go out on Saturday night as well.  The first stop of the evening was to one of the local bars I prefer, a small spot called Atlas.  It was here that myself and a bunch of individuals met, formed a small [loud] party, and made a night out of it.  We closed out two different bars; We danced, we people-watched, we laughed - it couldn't have been better scripted.  The details aren't so important, so much as the overall impression of the evening being one of renewed interest in getting out into the night life and learning to enjoy "going out" again!
  After finally arrive home after 4am to a quiet house (flatmates were out of the weekend), I got to star-gaze off my balcony, mull over the night's moments, and take a few minutes to remind myself that this trip is all about grabbing a hold of the spur-of-the-moment impulses and running with it.  In one day I managed to: have the less-than-ideal experience of walking several miles to pick up a package that wouldn't be redelivered; an afternoon of dusty bike park laps; my own personal pub crawl with people I met that evening.  For me, this Second Summer, it's all about writing a new story line, and making the most of an amazing opportunity.  I'm in a large community of similar-aged and like-minded people doing the same thing, and it is without a doubt fostering an environment which allows for endless adventure potential!