giant umbrella sculpture

i couldn't sleep! i woke up every hour. maybe it's 'cos we're in the dorms and i'm on a top bunk with a constant fear of falling over. or maybe it's 'cos the dormmates left the fucking heater on so that it was so goddamn hot in there and dry that we were turning into mummies. when i did get up in the morning i took a shower--one of the best i've had in new zealand. i was able to do a full shave thanks to the handicap facility. oops, i made a water mess. i didn't realize how poorly planned the floor in the bathroom was. most of the water it seems didn't go down the drain but went under the door out into the hallway, soaking the carpet. then we did laundry and put things in a storage locker because we're not going to be picked up the bus until much later.

we walked around town and went to the southland museum & art gallery, except the art bit was closed so we spent more time looking at the tuataras. they are strange creatures. they have a third eye. it takes 12-14 months for their eggs to develop and hatch. the museum is famous for having henry, an old tuatara who was born circa 1880. i wasn't able to see him. maybe he was hiding. maybe he died and the museum doesn't want to lose visitors. i did see what i think was a female tuatara and two babies. the southland museum is supposed to have a good antarctic section but it was pretty crap. these small town museums are always disappointing.

tuatara sculpture outside of southland museum & art gallery

we went to the outdoor stores again, but this time for candles, matches, and freeze-dried foods. now we're ready. supply wise that is. physically i'm not ready. mentally i'm all for it. my body is gonna be pissed off at me i'm sure. twiddle thumbs's not ready for it and i keep having to give pep talks. it'll be an experience.

at 5pm we were back on the bottom bus with bloke driving. we went to nearby riverton to spend the night. my head is pounding from the cold of invercargill. i hate cold headaches. they're the worst. it's so windy and so damn cold in invercargill. i don't know how people can stand to live there. in riverton, we're at the globe bar & backpackers. they're supposed to make good pizzas so i gave in and ordered the vegetarian, no cheese. love the look on faces whenever i say "no cheese". they put avocados on the pizza. the first time i've ever seen that. weird.

while talking to bloke, twiddle thumbs, and another girl on the bus, i decided to buy the lions tour tickets. i called up and bought 2 tickets. i want to see the all blacks but i won the draw for auckland tickets. maybe i will meet someone and we can exchange tickets. or maybe i can just sell them later for a profit. or maybe when i'm in wellington i'll want to take a mini-vacation to auckland. we'll see how it goes.