Back from Traveling

Yes, I am back from traveling! I have a zillion pictures just waiting to be loaded up on to the blog, but unfortunately, my internet connection is not cooperating. Instead, let me regale you with stories and promise to get some visuals to accompany them soon:

Taupo and Taranaki
The highlights were seeing geological stuff, which means geysers and bubbling mud and steam coming out of the ground. We visited two different parks where you can see this stuff and it was amazing, except it rained the whole day and we got soaked. In fact, the bad weather kept us from seeing Mt. Taranaki, except shrouded in mysterious fog.
Low points were when we had a fender bender with our rental car, and when one of the guys laughed so hard that he puked out the window of the car. Gross.

Christchurch
Loved this town! They have a pretty nice cultural center where I got to go to the art museum and theater. I could not pass up the chance to see Arsenic and Old Lace on stage again. Rent the movie with Cary Grant if you've never seen it--it's hilarious!
I also took a day trip where I got to see the famous Hector's dolphins (awesome picture forthcoming!), which I believe are native to New Zealand. They much smaller than other species of dolphins, so that much cuter.

TranzAlpine
I took the train across the mountains from Christchurch to the west coast of New Zealand---really great views of snow and mountains!

Milford Sound
I took a boat ride on a rainy/misty day but it turned out great because you get some really great light and photos of this waterway to the sea.

In general, it was cold but lovely in the South Island, and it was a nice relaxing trip before school gets going again. I'll be tutoring for four sessions this semester and finishing my thesis! Check back soon for some more stories with pictures!