The orangey goodness of my favourite childhood drink has been consistently popping up in my mind whilst travelling around New Zealand. Unfortunately they don't sell Kia Ora orange squash here, but it is the Maori word for welcome so it's still written everywhere.
I have felt completely welcome in New Zealand, even walking through Auckland airport everyone smiled and said hello. All the way from Auckland in the north to Queenstown in the south I haven't met a rude Kiwi. I've seen so many beautiful places, met some hilarious people and had some crazy times - all on the Kiwi Experience bus. Not to mention the white water rafting, volcano hiking and canyon swinging - the must-do adrenaline actvities of NZ.
Juiciness has come in the form of coach gossip, messy dorms and a bag of squishy kiwi fruit. Staying in loud, messy dorms, having to unpack every evening and repack early every morning to then spend another day on the same sickly bus has become very tiring. Needless to say I am so glad to now have a whole week in beautiful Queenstown. The reflective lakes, snow-topped mountains and autumnal trees are just stunning, as they have been throughout the country, but they are especially gorgeous now I have more than afew hours or a passing glimpse through a bus window to appreciate them.
However, the actual bus journey has been an experience in itself. Our morning song by Six60 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=By-dxSLpyis will always remind me of New Zealand and the line 'ain't it good to be alive' always made me feel good in the mornings. Our bus driver, Lauren has been an absolute character - with sayings like 'mean', 'less than ideal', 'what an egg' - (referring to bad drivers) as well as the usual kiwi phrases like 'sweet as' and 'churr bro'. Other characters we've met along the way have included Pete, the mean old deer hunter who now runs a shop that sells possum pies and the freakiest museum ever and Les, the 87 year old landlord of a remote pub which hosts the Kiwi Experience fancy dress party. Our ABC (anything but clothes) party gave life to some amazing costume creations including Louise's tablecloth wedding dress and my paddling pool duck pond.
I am hoping that the trip back up to Auckland will be slightly more sedate, with more juicy fruit and less sleepless nights in hostel dorms.
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