2 week holiday: Rangitata

It was not the best start to a day a girl could ask for. After a minor freak out and talk with the girls about job perspectives and our futures, I decided to forget everything about my future for the next few days so I can enjoy the end of this once in a lifetime adventure. To make the mood worse, it rained all morning and many of the activities for lake Takepo were cancelled. We all said a little prayer of thanks for such gorgeous weather at Mt. Cook yesterday and Queenstown the days before.

As we left Mt. Cook this morning to head towards Rangitata, we made a stop at lake Tekapo. As the rain continued to pour, outdoor ice skating and the hot pools were about the last things we wanted to do. Instead we sat in a mountainside cafe, ate some of the yummiest tomato soup and drank much-needed coffee by the fire. I couldn't have asked for a better thing to do on a cold and rainy day. My spirits began to brighten as I warmed up and dried off.

Next we were off to Rangitata. The rain continued but I wasn't about to let that affect my last day of our Stray Bus adventure! We stopped in a delicious little chocolate shop in Geraldine, had yet another coffee and some truffles. It's amazing the things you find to do when it rains. When we finally made it into Rangitata where Cassie and I immediately ran off to find sheep! It has been on my bucket list to touch a sheep while in New Zealand, unfortunately we did not take into consideration the fact that sheep do not have being poked on their bucket lists. As we got closer they ran away. Such a sad moment for me 🐏

The rest of the day was spent relaxing until dinner. Our bus driver made our whole bus a delicious lasagna dinner with salad, garlic bread and chocolate cake with ice cream! YUM! I think this was the best dinner yet! Then our little "old" bus group retreated to our room to play spoons, giggle and reminisce about our trip together. We all miss the rest of our crew who headed into the Deep South today without us! I'm so excited to head to Christchurch with them tomorrow though! We booked our next hostel for two days with all of them! I can't wait!

For now I'm off to bed in a triple bunk bed thinking about graduation and reminiscing on the fact that in two days I will be considered a graduate, even though I'm so far away. To all of my best friends: I'm thinking about you and this incredible journey we have had together these last four years! I'm proud of you all and wish I was there with you! Love you all!