North Island New Zealand
Trip Start
Mar 30, 2009
1
2
8
Trip End
Jun 29, 2009
Auckland,
North Island,
New Zealand
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Time for another update!Have spent the last week or so travelling south through the North Island to Wellington. The first two days in NZ were in Auckland where I did nothing as the jetlag was just too extreme....Then on the Tuesday it was up bright and early to get my 'Kiwi' bus which is going to take me on my travels through this amazing country. Bus was absolutely jampacked and we played a speed dating game to get to know the people on the bus. I've been prettty lucky to have a cool group of people! First stop was Mercury Bay where we literally spent the night and saw nothing. Shame really as the hostel itself was lovely. Then it was on to Rotorua where it sticns of Sulphur i.e rotten eggs........but you soon get used to it. Had some time to stop off in the town but unfortunately not much to see there apart from all the scenery which we are glimpsing from the bus....We did however stop off for a picture with Gollum for those of you who are familiar with Lord of the Rings.....Then it is on to Waitomo which funnily enough is in the middle of nowhere!! This is our last night with the Danish girl but hopefully we will see her again in Quuenstown. Waitomo has some amazing countryside so we went for a long walk through the hills and surrounding fields. I have never breathed such 'clean' air it is an amazing feeling. It is hard to describe but you feel as though you have been cleansed on the inside and you get glowing skin!The next day it is off to Taupo and the first place where we are staying for more than one night which is lovely (means you can get some washing done.....)!!!And first on the agenda is the skydive!! Yep I jumped out of a plane at 12,0000 ft and the freefall lasts 45 seconds at 200km/hr. Wasn't scared in the slightest luckily I was a bit surprised but was just able to enjoy the stunning views :))) And travelling up in the planes was also amazing as you creep higher and higher up looking at the lake and the mountains!!Now will just have to see how I feel about a bungee......
I was supposed to go on a long hike the following morning but was a wee bit late for the bus and it didn't want to wait for us so a german girl and I went for a 4 hour walk around lake Taupo instead. The lake is in fact a large volcanic crater!! The rest of the day just got some bits and pieces sorted and then on again to the next stop - River Valley. The accommodation here is a lodge set in very peaceful surroundings and has a farmy feel about it. Was an amazing place to stay apart from the outside showers haha. In the morning I went for a ride on a cute little pony with some 'oomph'. I first got given something that I jst couldn't get going but luckily was able to swap. We trekked through some very very steep hills and again the views were spectacular!!Then it was off to Wellington where I am now and we had a nice day to ourselves. So brought a lovely cosy hat to prepare for the cold weather on the South Island which is a 7am start tomorrow........The next few days will just be stopping off and probably doing nothing spectacular until we get to Franz Josef and do the glacier climb.
Till the next blog,
Love abi x x x
Comments
my piglet!!
NZ sounds amazing!!! oh I wish I was there with you...
I am heading down to Prague tomo ;) (will report ;)
love you!
and good luck my beautiful globetrekker!