tunnel beach

As the days have become hours until we leave, the tears flow and goodbyes are a plenty, I am all so thankful for everything that has happened over the past few months in this incredible place.  Dunners will forever have a place in my heart – the good, the bad, and even the ugly.  As a last trip (?),  Lindsey, Jan (her cute little Czech boy) and I piled into the cockroach to go to a beach right down the road that we'd neglected to see until now.  It was so worth the quick trip!  Although the temperatures were cold and weather not too beautiful, the place was pretty incredible!

dat little black thing is me :)

It's impromptu, early morning trips to places like this that will make me forever love New Zealand!

closing hunt

This weekend was the closing hunt, which means go big or go home! And what better way to spend it with 2 of the best friends anyone could ask for!

I unfortunately had an exam on Saturday, so couldn't partake in what turned out to be 'one of the best hunts i've ever been on' from what i heard. :(  But we (Lindsey, Charlotte, and I) drove out to central otago after my exam to meet up with hooligans.  

We showed up at the inn where Ted had directed us to, knocked on the door to find a bunch of old (i mean grandparents old) riders heading straight for the booze. After convincing them we were instructed to sleep on the floor here and that we did not need to share beds with any of them, we stayed long enough to see how the rest of the night might unfold. People came and went and we eventually all headed to an old, old tavern/country store from the early settlers in the area. The place was cooler than any artifact museum we could've gone to.  Original pots, pans, jars, bones, etc lined the walls. And equipped with speakers, a bbq, and hard-ass huntsmen, the place got even more interesting.  It certainly made for a night to remember!! And Charlotte and Lindsey were there to share the adventure! {there were also season end awards given. Ted won "dick of the year" due to one of his horses: Numbnuts - who is all too deserving of that name} 

frosty sunrise over central otago

lovelove

Sunday was a great day in the saddle complete with some long gallops and wire jumping. The temperatures never got above freezing, but the sun was shining and last hunt of the season so couldn't complain too much.

hunt master: Glen. also founder of the central otago hunt club.
is mostly deaf. knows how to have a good time.

the gangsta of GGG?

and the roach still runs

love yall.
and check out those blanketed mountains out yonder. 

cute little stone house in the hills of otago

Hope this isn't my last hunt with these people. :(  I'll sure miss them in the meantime! Goodbyes were harder than I had imagined. They really became a family away from home.

sound the fun

all geared up!

taking the long way

The drive from Te Anau to Milford is supposed to be pretty quick - like an hour. We however spent the whole day getting there, stopping at every spot along the way. It was really nice!

Photo shoot at one of the short hikes and lakes:

Then to the field of all fields:

best frolicking field everrr

loveyoulongtime!

of course we had a jumping pic

GGG4LYFE

The mirror lakes:

mirror lakes

And then a speed hike to the top of a mountain (erin and tommy are the fastest hikers EVER. Lindsey and I struggle bussed it in the back):

photographer tommy at work!

honorary "our special erin" pic

love birds

au natural

we tried

so functional

our fearless tour guide, charlotte

"get it strait. ride krooked"

Then on to Gunn's camp. Wish we could've spent more time here :(

But Lindsey and I did buy greenstone necklaces for each other. 

little angel, lindsey

And finally, Milford! (where Lindsey and I exchanged our lovely new gifts. I'm wearing it now!)

queenstown fun

What would a weekend be without a farmer's market date?! Charlotte was our honorary guest.

our beloved date spot: the joyful vegan

And we finally checked out the train station! It's the second most photographed building in the southern hemisphere and we'd yet to check it out and take a single picture.

the train station!

baby bag of apples

After a yummy brunch and awakening Erin and Tommy, we hit the road for a night in Queenstown! my favorite place in the world! and i had to share it with Charlotte.

the mystery picture in the hall. WTF

check out our neat closets!

shuffleboard champs

<3

we found our friend mitchell!!

Woke up and spent a lovely morning wandering around our home away from home. Going to miss this place!

cute char

dream job in a dream place!

love you heaps!

I <3 queenstown

And then it was off to Te Anau/Milford Sound for a continued adventure.