I made it!

Didn't somebody once say that you have to go through hell to get to paradise?  I'm sure someone has.. My flight from Detroit to San Francisco took a bit longer than expected, landing only 50 minutes before my flight to Auckland was due to take off...  Naturally I was anxious to make it to the other gate..  and I did - 20 minutes later I was waiting in line..  only to be told that they didn't have my bag yet, and that it might not make it through screening in time..  So I waited there, until 10 minutes or so before the plane was to take off..  still, no bag..  frustrated I got on, and went to my seat, wondering what I was going to do if my bag got stuck in San Fran.

Beside me was sitting an older guy, who turns out designs hard drives..  before I knew that though, and right after the plane took off, he put on a movie..  He leaned back, put on his headphones, and started watching..  Right away, I see tits.  This is some sort of soft core porn, I thought!  NICE!  It was 'Chloe', some movie about a woman and her husband..  and all the people they were fucking.  This went on for about 3 hours, I swear.  Lots of tits and lots of fucking, and me sitting there playing Tetris, every once in a while peeking over to catch a glimplse of the debauchery on the other screen.  The funniest part must have been when a butt naked couple was going at it hardcore - one of her legs was up in the air, head pressed against some piece of furniture, and ..  well..  it's really hard to describe.  but it was then that the stewardess came up and asked us if we want anything to drink.

Watching the pacific ocean from the plane was surreal.  It was dark and the moon was out - illuminating the clouds, and the ocean.  I got bits and pieces of sleep here and there, still thinking about my bag, but eventually I didn't really care.  I was too tired.  When we landed..  and i was standing there looking at all the other pieces of luggage making their way down..  I really didn't expect to see my bag there..  but then..  when I saw it..  I can't quite put into words how I felt  (and I was sure it was my bag, it's pretty unique looking), but..  well..  yeah, I can't put this into words at all!  Next paragraph

On the flight to Queenstown (and I was really really REALLY tired by then) I met two older ladies who gave me all sorts of advice on what to see..  We basically passed through all the landmarks I was going to see, backwards.  The flight only took 2 and a half hours or so, and the landing was spectacular.  You basically enter a valley - with moutnains all around.

And speaking of Queenstown, it is spectacular..  and so is my hotel room!  Queenstown is apparently FULL of luxury hotels..  Mine is a 10 minute walk from fancy/trendy downtown..  and you can tell that it used to be able to charge a lot more, but now there are far more luxurious options downtown..  which is probably why I was able to get such a great deal.

I left all my stuff in my room and walked around town.  The scenery is really breathtaking..  and the downtown area seemed a bit too trendy-looking at first, but I quickly got over that.  It has some sort of aura that just makes it seem awesome, regardless.  Maybe it's due to the people - who are just wonderful.  I went to an information booth type place, to get some information on my upcoming walks, how to book transportation, where to buy hiking food, etc..  And the girl there was not only great, but also cute.. and also very helpful!  She booked the transportation to and from the Routeburn track for me, a night at a hostel in Te Anau, and then 1night at a hostel here in Queenstown for when I return from my walks.  So that's all done!  And, she directed me to "the supermarket to go to, that has all the good hiking food and stuff", which was great.  I'm still not sure how I'm going to fit it all in my backpack, but it has to be done..  tonight!

Tomorrow a bus picks me up at 6:50am and takes me to Te Anau, where I might be visiting glow worm caves..  a day after that - the 4 day Milford Track begins.

I walked around Queenstown today, got pizza at Winnie's (some of the best pizza I've ever had, seriously), hokey pokey ice cream, went up the Gondola and did the loop track there..  the views are PHENOMENAL..  just amazing.  I wish I could post some pictures, but my time here is running out.  I also walked around the Queenstown gardens, which I really liked.  They kinda reminded me of the Lazienki park in Warsaw - except that you're surrounded by beautiful mountains.

I apologize for the grammar..  it can't be that great - I'm still really tired.  I won't be able to update this for at least 10 days - unless the hostel in Te Anau has internet..  which it might..  or the Milford Sound lodge, where I'm spending 2 nights (in between the 2 walks)  Either way, I'm having a blast.  I will write more when I can