Well, here I sit in this small town of Akaroa a little hungry as a neglected to make it to the Four Square grocery market before 6pm. The whole town pretty much closes at 6pm. Most towns in NZ close at 6pm. So what did I eat for dinner you may ponder? Or maybe you don’t, but for your information I ate a pack of Rolo chocolates and a pack of orange TicTacs. For lunch I has fudge. Ok so not the best day in eating history, but I never say no to a meal of sugar. I dropped my travel mate, Alex, off at the airport yesterday morning, which probably explains for the shat-like meals I ate today. His mind was constantly preparing for lunch and supper the second he woke up in the morning, thus I never really went without large prepared meals everyday. No worries though, I’ll do my best to pick up where he left off.
This backpacker I rest in tonight is all to myself. It’s pretty sweet. I get my own bedroom complete with complimentary towel, slippers, and a hot water bottle. The kitchen and lounge I have all to myself which is situated, literally, right next to a running stream. Needless to say, the soothing sound has me running to pee every 15 minutes. I don’t even think there is any water left in my body but the stream says “yes there is. Haha!” Since the darkness had fallen and the town has become ghost-like, I am here trying to re-adjust myself to aloneness, which I really haven’t felt in, well, quite some time. Working in Pauanui left me with a grand circle of friends, which then I moved onto Raglan where I soon acquired another grand circle of friends, then traveling with Alex and always having someone around to gab to. So now with no one here, no one, I find myself looking for something to do in every corner. Since dusk I’ve read a book of Dilbert comics, a few chapters of Douglas Adams’ “Mostly Harmless,” way too many expired trash magazines, completed many Sodokus, knitted, and happily found a Canadian book of crossword puzzles (PS: NZ crossword puzzles suck arse). I’m definitely not bored, just re-adjusting. Again.
Our arrival to the South Island was pleasant and I couldn’t of asked it to be any other way. We took the 3 hour ferry ride to arrive in Picton where we would continue on to Blenheim, NZ’s wine country. The region is overflowing with vineyards, commercial and private. It boasts some of the greatest sauvignon blanc growing conditions in the world. Off an old country road is where Alex and I were to work for our accommodation and food for one week pruning grape vines and olive trees. We begin the long drive down the long driveway, and as you do, expecting the worse. But the worse was far from what laid in front of us. A beautiful two story strawbale house stood there with 24 hectares of olive trees and grapevines and snow capped mountains as a backdrop. We jump out of the car to be greeted by Jeremy who has popped his head out of the skylight to say hello before meeting us downstairs. Jeremy and Rose, a delightful couple who instantly reminded of my grandparents. The kind of grandparents everyone wants. They were active and quick-witted and up to date with the world. They wanted to show us everything and instantly made us feel at home. They gave us a tour of their property which besides olives and grapes, grew peony flowers and a large and artistic veggie garden. It was also home to a large pond with an island in the middle. We couldn’t get over our good fortune as they showed us the room we got to sleep in which was nestled in the corner of their massive farm shed. A heated room with two bright and fluffy beds awaited us with a view of the mountains. And our own bathroom. Luxury, my friends, luxury.
We made ourselves at home and took well-needed showers before heading into the house for dinner. We were welcomed by their two dogs, Jess and Archie, and a glass of local wine. As I had warned Alex, most Wwoof hosts like you to help with dinner and the dishes and whatnot. Jeremy and Rose had none of that. They waited on us hand and foot. We tried to help but were basically forced to sit down and relax. And the food. Oh the food. Every night was a gourmet meal. We worked for four hours every day bottling olive oil on the rainy days and pruning the grape vines when the sun came out. The afternoons we had free to roam around and do what we pleased, but dinner was being served at 7:30 each night so we made sure we returned. Plus this was the time we got the hang out with Jeremy and Rose. We’d usually head to the house around 6 for wine and reading and when dinner came we sat around the table for hours after eating having great conversation and laughs. Truly though I ate the best meal of my life, to date, at this house. One orgasm per bite.
An interesting fact we came to learn about this location is the purpose of the two giant white balls that stood about 500m away from the property. They looked like something from 2001: A Space Odyssey but sadly weren’t. What we learned is there are 5 locations across the world that have these massive white balls (one being Blenheim, NZ). These balls house thousands of computers that scan every email, text message, and any other computer-like communications for terrorist activity. The balls are fenced in and watched over by the army so no tourist traffic was allowed as Alex and I had hoped. We found this a very entertaining fact as we were working so close to these all-mighty balls. While working in the vineyard one shiny day I texted Alex who was rows ahead of me with a message, “Terrorist! Nuclear bombs! Taliban!” We laughed as a helicopter flew over head and we imagined ourselves being arrested. It didn’t happen though. Phewf.
Our time with Jeremy and Rose flew by and we couldn’t have been more grateful for their generosity. They sent us off with each our own bottle of their olive oil and well wishes. The journey next brought us to the Nelson Lakes where we would meet another French friend of ours, Lolo, for some winter camping. We drove the two hours up to the snowy mountains where frost was predicted for the night. Frost is a big deal in this part of NZ and it was bloody cold. However the three of us toughed it out for 4 nights of tent sleeping and walking along the edge of the frigid mountains and we managed to keep warm in the nights with plenty of clothes, a fire, and a bottle of vodka. Good work team. After four days of no shower and smelling like smoke, I was ready to boogie.
A stop in Kaikoura followed the camping excursion before heading off to Christchurch for Alex’s departure. We spent our time relaxing as we were drained from our past month’s adventures and Christchurch wasn’t the most exciting of places to be. We had our last laughs and fools and said goodbye. I’ll miss my friend but it was good timing as I’m sure we would have drove each other crazy if it went on any longer. It was a great experience to travel with someone and I’m glad it happened the way it did. Now it all circles back to me, here, listening to Café del Mar, alone in Akaroa with the calming sound of the stream rushing past. Which reminds me, I have to pee…
