Prepare yourselves for the most exciting post ever!!!
(It's really too bad we haven't devised a way of detecting sarcasm over the internet)
Due to the ever constant natter of my darling mother, I will be gracing you - my devoted, loyal and ever-loving readers with what will inevitably be a National-Geographic-material blog.
Nothing much has changed since my last update, except that there is now a tentative date for leaving the town of Boredom. ... I mean Blenheim. The plan is to continue on to Southeast Asia, and then into central China. After exploring some of the Chinese culture and a few of their beautiful sights, the journey will continue on to Nepal, where hopefully I will get the chance to hike to the Everest Base Camp.
I'm not exaggerating when I say that the Everest Base Camp (EBC) trek will be the hike to top all hikes that I've had the great pleasure to experience. Apparently it's not only ripe with gorgeous sights, but also filled with cultural experiences and opportunities. On top of that, it's my understanding that the trek can take anywhere from 10-14 days to complete. The distances covered per day aren't completely grueling in length, but rather in the gain of altitude. In fact it is highly recommended that hikers rest for several days at specific points along the trail in order for their bodies to adjust to the extreme altitudes. Altitude sickness is a very real and very dangerous threat to those who are looking to make it to the EBC and beyond.
Essentially a hiker's body will react to the lower amounts of oxygen (due to lower air pressure) that are found in high altitude settings. As with every ailment, people respond differently to stresses on the body. Some experience fatigue or dizziness, nosebleeds or rapid pulses, while others can develop edema, which can progress very rapidly and is often fatal. Hence the extreme importance in swallowing your pride and sticking to the recommendations of acclimatizing at the various stops along the track.
So after my interest in the EBC was sparked, I started to think to myself, "Well I've hiked some pretty high mountains and I've always been fine. How high is really high?"
One of the highest mountains in Canada is Mt. Robson. It's summit sits at an impressive 3954 metres (12,972 feet) above sea level. Mt Assiniboine (obviously this one is for my Dad) boasts an altitude of 3618 metres. (11,870 feet) Both are incredible, and can be quite dangerous because well, let's face it, they're both big ass mountains.
To put this into perspective, the base camp of Everest sits at a jaw-dropping 5364 metres. It's mind-blowing to imagine the starting point for a trek can begin at an altitude of 17,598 feet.
(Just for your information, the actual peak of Everest looms around 8848 metres.)
Anyway, apparently over 50% of people will become ill with symptoms of altitude sickness if they ascend rapidly from sea level to 3500m without proper acclimatization. Which is why again, the need for rest and recoup is strictly stressed and enforced on any hikers who wish to pay for a guided tour.
Now it's apparent that all of you are freaking out after this blurb, because if I were to bite the dust up there on that little ol' mountain, there would be only one thing on your minds:
"Now whose blog am I going to read?"
Fear not loyal followers, the trek to EBC is really not all that dangerous. Like any challenging hike it must be entered into with respect for the mountain and for the weather. Luckily I possess the necessary respect (most of the time) and I value my life too highly to risk terrible conditions to hike a mountain that will always be hangin' around.
Now back to the present.
Boring Blenheim. Woooo.
I shouldn't complain as much as I do. Winter here is still proving to be quite balmy. In fact the other day I was walking around in a t-shirt and sandals at 10pm. It sure isn't like the cursed season in Canada.
The surrounding beauty of this little city is quite eye-opening as well. Rows upon rows of grape plantations dot the hills that gently roll around the valley, and it's no surprise to learn that the Marlborough wine region makes up 62% of New Zealand's total vineyards. The most widely renown wine here is the Sauvignon Blanc, followed by Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Apparently the contrast between our warmer days and cooler nights help to extend the ripening period of the grape vines, which produces flavors that one would be hard-pressed to find anywhere else in the world.
Some of the more notable vineyards in the area are Saint Clair Estate Winery, Cloudy Bay Vineyards, Brancott Estate, Hunters Wines, Marisco Vineyards, and Tohu. It would be interesting to see if anyone back home has any luck finding some of these wine labels.
I should include a word of warning: Exercise caution before you go tra-la-la-ing down the wine aisle, heedlessly tossing in bottles of these NZ delights. Many of them will break your bank so quickly that you'll end up eating your breakfast cereal with a fork to save money on milk.
While the Wineries are beautiful to behold, and their products are perfect for a mellow evening, they are something entirely else when you become employed within one. Let me tell you, it is the perfect blend of hell and torturous monotony packed into one endless row of grapevines.There are currently several different jobs that are taking place within the vineyards at this point in the season.
Stripping - Getting rid of the excess vines on the plant, as to allow for 2 or 3 main vines to fruit over the summer season.
Pruning/Trimming - deciding which main vines to leave after the plant has been stripped, and ensuring that the vines left are clear of small shoots and branches.
Wrapping/Tying - Taking the remaining vines and gently wrapping them around horizontally strung wires. The vines are then secured to the wires using twist ties. (Really advanced technology!)
Post harvest - pre-stripping
Post wrapping and tying
Now the thought of being outside in the fresh air all day does have it perks, and it can seem really appealing to those who are in dire need of some cash, but imagine rows upon rows of seemingly endless plants. Envision yourself finally finishing one of those infinite rows, just about to congratulate yourself on your fine and efficient work, only to discover that there are about 2000 more rows to go! Don't get me wrong - some people thrive in that environment, but I'm the first to admit that I wasn't very good at wrapping and tying. In fact, I've inherited some very memorable blister scars after my vineyard experiences!
My life as a babysitter and personal slave service is yet unchanged, but in my free time I've managed to cook a few more items that were pleasing to the palate - each of them being surprisingly easy to concoct.
Shish-Kebabs (WITHOUT mushrooms.... fungi is nasty) glazed in an olive oil, garlic and teriaki sauce, with garlic mashed potatoes.
Egg white, onion and salmon omeletts have become my staple lunch meal. I am unabashedly obsessed. Plus they are incredibly healthy for you.
Coconut Prawns with a honey apricot dipping sauce. Amazingly easy to make, with scrumptious results!
Stuffed Cheese and Steak Peppers. Looks disgusting... tastes like a warm comfy evening.
Alas, it's come to the time where I should probably put an end to this entry, as some of the local hostel livestock has begun to file through the doors. It will only be a short matter of time before people start to spill into the office, pleading for my guidance to assist them through some very serious and life-altering situations.
Examples of these dire-end of the world-unsolvable-dilemmas:
Guest: "I would like to stay at your hostel, but I see that it says on the board that you are full."
Courtney: "Well, that's probably because we are full."
Guest: "But I want to stay here tonight."
Courtney: "One second. I need to find my magic wand so that I can magically create open beds for you."
or
Courtney: "Just so you know, we only accept cash."
Guest: "Why?"
Courtney: "I'm not sure, it's just the way the owners want to run the hostel."
Guest: "So if I want to pay my rent on a weekly basis, I have to come to you each week on the same day and pay in person with cash?"
Courtney: "Yup, the same way you'd have to come to me each week on the same day to pay in person with a debit or credit card."
or
(Phone Rings)
Courtney: "Copper Beech Backpackers, Courtney speaking."
Guest: "Hello."
Courtney: "...Hello."
Guest: "Hello."
Courtney: ".....Hello."
Guest: "Hello."
Courtney: "Telepathy not included with Manager."
New Zealand Fact of the Day:
North Americans only THINK they know how to use Roundabouts
(It's really too bad we haven't devised a way of detecting sarcasm over the internet)
Due to the ever constant natter of my darling mother, I will be gracing you - my devoted, loyal and ever-loving readers with what will inevitably be a National-Geographic-material blog.
Nothing much has changed since my last update, except that there is now a tentative date for leaving the town of Boredom. ... I mean Blenheim. The plan is to continue on to Southeast Asia, and then into central China. After exploring some of the Chinese culture and a few of their beautiful sights, the journey will continue on to Nepal, where hopefully I will get the chance to hike to the Everest Base Camp.
I'm not exaggerating when I say that the Everest Base Camp (EBC) trek will be the hike to top all hikes that I've had the great pleasure to experience. Apparently it's not only ripe with gorgeous sights, but also filled with cultural experiences and opportunities. On top of that, it's my understanding that the trek can take anywhere from 10-14 days to complete. The distances covered per day aren't completely grueling in length, but rather in the gain of altitude. In fact it is highly recommended that hikers rest for several days at specific points along the trail in order for their bodies to adjust to the extreme altitudes. Altitude sickness is a very real and very dangerous threat to those who are looking to make it to the EBC and beyond.
Essentially a hiker's body will react to the lower amounts of oxygen (due to lower air pressure) that are found in high altitude settings. As with every ailment, people respond differently to stresses on the body. Some experience fatigue or dizziness, nosebleeds or rapid pulses, while others can develop edema, which can progress very rapidly and is often fatal. Hence the extreme importance in swallowing your pride and sticking to the recommendations of acclimatizing at the various stops along the track.
So after my interest in the EBC was sparked, I started to think to myself, "Well I've hiked some pretty high mountains and I've always been fine. How high is really high?"
One of the highest mountains in Canada is Mt. Robson. It's summit sits at an impressive 3954 metres (12,972 feet) above sea level. Mt Assiniboine (obviously this one is for my Dad) boasts an altitude of 3618 metres. (11,870 feet) Both are incredible, and can be quite dangerous because well, let's face it, they're both big ass mountains.
To put this into perspective, the base camp of Everest sits at a jaw-dropping 5364 metres. It's mind-blowing to imagine the starting point for a trek can begin at an altitude of 17,598 feet.
(Just for your information, the actual peak of Everest looms around 8848 metres.)
Anyway, apparently over 50% of people will become ill with symptoms of altitude sickness if they ascend rapidly from sea level to 3500m without proper acclimatization. Which is why again, the need for rest and recoup is strictly stressed and enforced on any hikers who wish to pay for a guided tour.
Now it's apparent that all of you are freaking out after this blurb, because if I were to bite the dust up there on that little ol' mountain, there would be only one thing on your minds:
"Now whose blog am I going to read?"
Fear not loyal followers, the trek to EBC is really not all that dangerous. Like any challenging hike it must be entered into with respect for the mountain and for the weather. Luckily I possess the necessary respect (most of the time) and I value my life too highly to risk terrible conditions to hike a mountain that will always be hangin' around.
Now back to the present.
Boring Blenheim. Woooo.
I shouldn't complain as much as I do. Winter here is still proving to be quite balmy. In fact the other day I was walking around in a t-shirt and sandals at 10pm. It sure isn't like the cursed season in Canada.
The surrounding beauty of this little city is quite eye-opening as well. Rows upon rows of grape plantations dot the hills that gently roll around the valley, and it's no surprise to learn that the Marlborough wine region makes up 62% of New Zealand's total vineyards. The most widely renown wine here is the Sauvignon Blanc, followed by Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Apparently the contrast between our warmer days and cooler nights help to extend the ripening period of the grape vines, which produces flavors that one would be hard-pressed to find anywhere else in the world.Some of the more notable vineyards in the area are Saint Clair Estate Winery, Cloudy Bay Vineyards, Brancott Estate, Hunters Wines, Marisco Vineyards, and Tohu. It would be interesting to see if anyone back home has any luck finding some of these wine labels.
I should include a word of warning: Exercise caution before you go tra-la-la-ing down the wine aisle, heedlessly tossing in bottles of these NZ delights. Many of them will break your bank so quickly that you'll end up eating your breakfast cereal with a fork to save money on milk.
While the Wineries are beautiful to behold, and their products are perfect for a mellow evening, they are something entirely else when you become employed within one. Let me tell you, it is the perfect blend of hell and torturous monotony packed into one endless row of grapevines.There are currently several different jobs that are taking place within the vineyards at this point in the season.
Stripping - Getting rid of the excess vines on the plant, as to allow for 2 or 3 main vines to fruit over the summer season.
Pruning/Trimming - deciding which main vines to leave after the plant has been stripped, and ensuring that the vines left are clear of small shoots and branches.
Wrapping/Tying - Taking the remaining vines and gently wrapping them around horizontally strung wires. The vines are then secured to the wires using twist ties. (Really advanced technology!)
Post harvest - pre-stripping
Post wrapping and tying
Now the thought of being outside in the fresh air all day does have it perks, and it can seem really appealing to those who are in dire need of some cash, but imagine rows upon rows of seemingly endless plants. Envision yourself finally finishing one of those infinite rows, just about to congratulate yourself on your fine and efficient work, only to discover that there are about 2000 more rows to go! Don't get me wrong - some people thrive in that environment, but I'm the first to admit that I wasn't very good at wrapping and tying. In fact, I've inherited some very memorable blister scars after my vineyard experiences!
My life as a babysitter and personal slave service is yet unchanged, but in my free time I've managed to cook a few more items that were pleasing to the palate - each of them being surprisingly easy to concoct.
Shish-Kebabs (WITHOUT mushrooms.... fungi is nasty) glazed in an olive oil, garlic and teriaki sauce, with garlic mashed potatoes.
Egg white, onion and salmon omeletts have become my staple lunch meal. I am unabashedly obsessed. Plus they are incredibly healthy for you.
Coconut Prawns with a honey apricot dipping sauce. Amazingly easy to make, with scrumptious results!
Stuffed Cheese and Steak Peppers. Looks disgusting... tastes like a warm comfy evening.
Alas, it's come to the time where I should probably put an end to this entry, as some of the local hostel livestock has begun to file through the doors. It will only be a short matter of time before people start to spill into the office, pleading for my guidance to assist them through some very serious and life-altering situations.
Examples of these dire-end of the world-unsolvable-dilemmas:
Guest: "I would like to stay at your hostel, but I see that it says on the board that you are full."
Courtney: "Well, that's probably because we are full."
Guest: "But I want to stay here tonight."
Courtney: "One second. I need to find my magic wand so that I can magically create open beds for you."
or
Courtney: "Just so you know, we only accept cash."
Guest: "Why?"
Courtney: "I'm not sure, it's just the way the owners want to run the hostel."
Guest: "So if I want to pay my rent on a weekly basis, I have to come to you each week on the same day and pay in person with cash?"
Courtney: "Yup, the same way you'd have to come to me each week on the same day to pay in person with a debit or credit card."
or
(Phone Rings)
Courtney: "Copper Beech Backpackers, Courtney speaking."
Guest: "Hello."
Courtney: "...Hello."
Guest: "Hello."
Courtney: ".....Hello."
Guest: "Hello."
Courtney: "Telepathy not included with Manager."
New Zealand Fact of the Day:
North Americans only THINK they know how to use Roundabouts
