Click the link to see the summary of the trip!
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| Man altering Mother Nature |
We were heading towards Christchurch from the Glaciers and stopped by Arthur's Pass for a night to break the journey.
It was about 4.30pm when we arrive at Arthur's Pass Village. It was like a setting from a typical horror movie. The Village consisted of about 8-10 buildings, including 2 cafés/eateries and 1 information center. All were closed at that point. We drove up and down several times and we knew the next motor home park will be kilometers away, so we decided to stay at a hostel.
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| Arthur's Pass Village |
We felt a bit weird about it so we walked to the next hostel. We were just poking around at the front door looking at the signs that again said to pick up the phone receiver located just next to the main door to get access into the hostel. At that point, we were quite hesitant and considered driving through and out of Arthur's Pass to find any sort of life form.
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| Stumbled upon this! |
Then the door opened and out came Bill. He was dressed in oil-stained overalls and had the warmest smile of a wise old man. We asked if we could just pay and use the facilities as we already had our own bed. We just needed a place to shower and cook our dinner. He agreed as there was only 1 person staying for the night.
To be honest, we seriously thought we'd get murdered that night and no one would even know. (Like in the movie, Hostel) But, boy were we wrong. Bill is the friendliest, nicest and fatherly New Zealander we've ever met. He gave us a mini tour of the hostel, the surrounding areas, and even told us folk lore and legends of the surrounding landscape. He told us how he operated his hostel (which I will not write here because people may read this and take advantage of him) and asked repeatedly if we had food for dinner.
As he only comes up a certain day of a week, I told him we were then, very lucky to have bumped into him as it was not that certain day of the week he'd usually come up. He replied, "No, I am also very lucky to have met you too." And he told me I have a beautiful and sweet smile which made me blush like a little girl.
This post will be filled with many quotes of that night.
Eventually, he got back to work, cleaning and oiling the machines and water heater tank (that's the reason for all the oil stains) in his backyard and we got back to preparing dinner. We got a large bundle of meat for only $10 by the way and had waaaaay to much food for the 2 of us.
Then in the midst of food preparation, in walked in an American Girl and a Spanish Guy. Let's name Her G and Him A. We exchanges greetings and they asked where they could have some coffee and dinner. Told them which direction to head to and they were out the door. A little while later, this Belgium guy (let's name him D) returned from his hike with a stone in the shape of a heart and presented it to Bill. It was quite a sight to see! A 70+ years young man giggling and joking around with D.
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| Living Room/Common Area |
We cooked dinner and realized we had too much to eat so we gave some to Bill and D, as all they had were baked beans and some fruits respectively. We couldn't let them eat just that when we had so much meat and sausages. ($10 bundle remember?)
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| Kitchen |
Somewhere during dinner, while D was telling us about his adventures in Paraguay, G and A returned and join us. Together we were exchanging stories about our travels and also taught each other vulgarities in our own native language. All 3 of them actually quit their jobs and will be traveling for at least a few years.
D said that although New Zealand is pretty but it is not as beautiful as some places he's been in South America. A retorted with, "If you keep comparing with other beautiful destinations, how are you ever going to fully immerse and enjoy yourself fully at the destination you're currently in?"
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| LOVE THIS FIREPLACE! Just was what I needed that night! |
As the stories flowed, G said when she went to Laos, she met several Laosian people. She said, "They have absolutely nothing, yet they are the happiest people I've ever met." She even recounted how one day she was just walking the streets of Laos and she didn't have anywhere to go or a place to sleep. A Laosian family actually took her in, fed her and gave her a place to sleep. We need to go to Laos soon.
G also recounted how she got lost in the jungles of Thailand (somewhere off Railey Beach) and she emerged to a deserted beach and how the stars were the best she's ever seen. If it was me, I would have started bawling my eyes out once I realized I was lost.
Eventually we all grew sleepy and went to bed.
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| We made funny friends |
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| Devil's Punchbowl Waterfall |
Once we were back and collected the car, we saw Bill still working on his machines. We told him that we were leaving and to visit us in Sunny SG when he has the time. He replied that he doesn't have a passport. Gilbert and I were so astonished. Bill said, "I don't need to see the world. With this hostel, people will come and bring the world to me."
He just warmed my heart so much.
Continuing our journey through Arthur's Pass, Gilbert and I were discussing about the stay. Gilbert said, "We are never truly happy. We just want to earn money to please people we don't like. We get married and hold an expensive and grand wedding banquet for people we hardly know. We travel on the basis that we want to reward ourselves for the hardwork we've done for other people. And we even have to buy gifts for people who we don't like (for him! I only buy gifts for people I like OK!) when we go on holiday. When are we going to do something for ourselves, truly?"
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| I want to live here! |
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