Seth’s World View

Queenstown is the tourist mecca of New Zealand, and the self-proclaimed adventure capital of the world. We are in the middle of their Winter Festival, which makes it busier than usual, though lots of people come hear to ski anyway. I wasn’t too excited about Queenstown, and am only here one night on my way [...]

The road to Wanaka is laced with snow-capped peaks and beautiful lakes. Our bus driver was kind enough to stop a few times for photo opportunities. Upon arriving in town, I checked into The Purple Cow Backpackers, which has it’s flaws, but has a nice alpine feel. After getting sorted, I walked out the front [...]

Fox Glacier and Franz Josef Glacier are the two most accessible glaciers in New Zealand, and a vibrant tourist industry has grown up around the two towns of the same name. I booked three nights at the Ivory Tower. The ambience in the dining room was cool, between the music and motivational posters, though the [...]

While others had overnight stops in Greymouth or Westport, I opted for Punakaiki, a small town on the edge of the Tasman Sea and Paparoa National Park. Stayed at Te Nikau Retreat, which is a hostel of sorts. In reality, it’s a collection of fully furnished cabins with fireplaces and no TVs. Only two other [...]

The stars dance upon the snow-capped peaks, high above the hidden lake. Icy shadows are all that can be seen on the clear horizon. Light breaks through the dark air, but not enough to illuminate the masses. We are left with muddled voices outside ourselves, as we peer through the glass in front of us. [...]

Without heart, you die, left empty of soul. It is no life at all. Unless the heart pumps life with all its might in pursuit of the impossible dream, there really sis no reason to wake up, is there? June 28, 2004 Wanaka, New Zealand