Steve’s Travel Blog

If you want to try a new kind of deer hunting than you need to get your ass to New Zealand.

Back in the day the hunters were having a really tough time getting any deer because the terrain is so mountainous and ruggid.  THe deer population got so big they were eating away the forests and something needed to be done.  THey started hunting deer with helicoptors.  THey would fly around and find the deer and then shoot them from the air.  After getting a few they would land and tie the hind legs to a rope and bring them out with the chopper as well.  Some guy saw how good this was and wanted to raise them to sell as lots of people were looking for venison but could not afford to use choppers.  He started a deer farm and the way he started his herd was to go out in a chpper and jump out a a running deer and bull dog it to the ground and tie it legs like steer wrestlers in rodeo. When I saw the video on this i could not help but think this may be the next event at the Calgary Stampede.  THe guy was nuts!!! but now runs one of the largest deer farms in the country. 

Jan 2 - We traveled along the west coast of the south island today to a town called Barrytown.  We did not have anything to adventurous but the drive was rated by Lonely Planet as one of the top 10 drives in the world.  Completely cool and our hostel was part of an old pub called All Nations Inn.  They served us a great roast dinner and the nwe played ping pong and Pool for most of the night.  We had a small group but it was a fun group.  It mostly new people now and our new drive in Woody who lost he left left in an accident at 28 and he is really awesome.  Zoe is on this bus as well as Karina from Austria.  Still getting to know the ohters but we are having fun. 

Jan 3 - THis morning we got up and learned how to bone carve.  I made a flame pendant and put it on a chain.  It looks really cool and i am proud of my work.  It is made out of cow bone and we used dremmel tools for most of it.  After that we made our way to Franz Josef National park and a quiet night getting ready for a big day tomorrow.

Jan 4 - Gacier hike up the Franz Josef Glacier.  It was a bit like caving but above ground.  Not sure why I wanted to go somewhere cold but it was wicked.  Some of the crevaces we climbed through we amazing and completely enjoyed it.  It is not a lot different than in Jasper but nowhere near as high.  Still amazing and the pics are incredible.  We had a really good party that eveing as well after a nice hot tub and supper.

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Hello all,I left Tribewanted this morning and it was very emotional.  They really became my Fijian family and it was tough to say good-bye.  I am flying back to Nadi today and then having a kava session with Paul from ... [Continue reading this entry]

Bula Sia all,I have been away ... [Continue reading this entry]