Mud-tastic!
Trip Start
May 31, 2008
1
8
28
Trip End
Dec 15, 2008
Taupo,
New Zealand
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Today we went action quad-ing. Which means we put on our dirtiest clothes, got on some quads and blasted through some knee-deep mud puddles as fast as we could. We were guided through some insane forest runs, gorgeous scenery and even deeper wilderness. We saw loads of sheep, a beautiful handful of deer and the snow covered Mt. Ruapehu where the rest of our bus had gone skiing.
I managed to roll backwards into Dad on the first steep hill, having forgotten that the quad had brakes in my desperate attempt to find first gear. And after getting splashed with mud for the second time, I decided to forego all caution and ride through those puddles at full speed! Jared got stuck at one point but got himself out before our guide found him - go, lil bro, go!
Our guide, Pete, was a bit of a nut job - certainly not the type to bite his tongue - proudly telling us about the time he nearly broke some guy's arm because he may have been the guy who burglared (my own word, I know) his shed. He also went so far as to say to me, with my fifteen year old brother in the backseat; "Man. You were pretty loud out there! I was wondering what you'd sound like in the bedroom, you'd need earmuffs!" Ah... inappropriate. But slightly funny. Sorta. (I was yelling WOO HOO a lot...)
Returning to the hostel, I felt like I was carrying an entire other person in my shoes and on my pants. I had mud all over my lower half and my face. I couldn't stop grinning like an idiot through the whole thing, much like the boys. Our shoes will be soaked through for the next three weeks and I might never get the mud out of my eye, but it was a damn good time!
We said goodbye to Leslie (our Stray Travel bus) and all the people on it, it felt a little strange not being with those people today since we were just starting to really enjoy everyone but we're meeting up with the same bus and it's driver, Natalie, on Monday again for the ride to Hamilton. Tonight we're off to the hot pools to soak our weary bones. Tomorrow I'm hoping to go sky diving (eek!!) in the morning and then head on a cruise around the lake to see some Maori carvings.
Hope all is well at home.
...Don't worry, I'm taking care of the boys. ;)
xox K, J and BFD
Comments
'fly foxing in the dark, backwards'
I can't say I even begin to understand half of what you just described, but it sounds like a awful lot of fun. I'm sure the pictures won't do it justice, but will be fabulous just the same - can't wait to see them! Time to go now - It's a cool late summer day here, and the Queen Anne's lace is all in bloom. Fresh baguette for breakfast, and I need to put the espresso on.
Hugs,
M.