I LOST MY BAG!!!

My bus mates, Sara and her friend Jasper, are from Sweden. They walked up, up, up the high hill here in Nelson with me to get to the official geographical middle of NZ. (see photo) On the way back down, Jasper said to me, " I tink dat yoo are amazeeng dooing all dese tings by yoorselv. I am eemprezzed by yoo." How cool! Although I also heard that voice in my head say, "what he means is that you're amazing for an OLD person!" haha!

The weather for the ferry today was fab-u-lous! I spent time out on the top deck feeling the gentle rocking and the viewing the unbelievable islands out in the Cook Strait traveling from the North island to the South island. It didn't hurt that I took a motion sickness pill, either! Just after we left the dock at Wellington, though, I realized that I didn't have my bag with my new, just broken in mid- calf hiking shoes, my running shoes and my sandals in it! I'd left it on the shuttle bus from the hostel! My heart did a few flip flops and I spent a bit of time telling myself that I was indeed travelling with an idiot!! What was I going to wear to hike the four day 33 mile tramp on the Milford Track out of Queenstown? AAAAHHHH! Then suddenly... I calmed down and told myself what will be, will be. God is in charge. If I can find them, I'll live (not happily, but I'll live). Strangely, I just relaxed and enjoyed the rest of the ferry ride.  I walked down to the second deck  and talked to the on board Interislander rep, but she said her cell phone wasn't working. So when the ferry arrived in Picton, I told the rep behind the Interislander window bout my bag dilemma.  She made a phone call. I awaited my fate. When she put down the receiver, she gave me a serious look... and then told me that the shuttle driver had found the bag, put in on the ferry and I should see it coming through on the baggage carousel! It was on the ferry with me the whole time! I couldn't believe it, but then I thought again, and yes, I could believe it. Kiwis are known for going out of their way for travellers and here was another miracle example!

After dinner, I put on my swimsuit and headed for the hot tub here at the hostel. My mind and body needed the soothing heat after the baggage scenario and uphill hike. A German guy was already in it and then we were joined by Jasper and an Ozzie guy. Me in a hot tub with three guys? LOL! Toooo funny! So, I got three blessings in one day! The shuttle driver and the younger people I run into on the Magic Bus and at the hostels who are so nice to me and accept me.